Getting Math Symbols on MikTeX and TeXnicCenter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around issues related to missing math symbols and fonts in MikTeX and TeXnicCenter, particularly focusing on the integral sign and the blackboard bold font (\mathbb). Participants share their experiences and seek solutions for these problems.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the absence of certain fonts, including \mathbb and the integral sign, in their MikTeX installation.
  • Another participant suggests copying a document structure to test if the integral symbol can be compiled, indicating a potential issue with the user's setup.
  • A participant later resolves their issue with the integral sign, attributing it to a previously defined command, but still seeks help for the \mathbb font.
  • Some participants propose that the AMS packages may contain the needed symbols, specifically mentioning \usepackage{amssymb} and \usepackage{amsmath} as potential solutions.
  • One participant shares a link to a PDF guide for math LaTeX, suggesting it may help clarify function names.
  • Another participant confirms that \usepackage{amssymb} is sufficient for accessing the blackboard bold font, while recommending additional packages for extensive math use.
  • A later reply indicates that the participant has found the amssymb package available in their installation, noting previous confusion over the package names.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the usefulness of AMS packages for accessing the desired math symbols, though there is no consensus on the exact package needed for \mathbb. Some participants have resolved their issues, while others continue to seek clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific packages and document classes without providing detailed explanations of their dependencies or limitations. The discussion includes assumptions about the user's familiarity with LaTeX and the functionality of MikTeX and TeXnicCenter.

Hurkyl
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My installation of MikTeX (and the TeXnicCenter) has bothered me for a while, because it doesn't have some of my favorite fonts, such as mathbb. ([itex]\mathbb{R}[/itex]) However, I just found out it doesn't even have the integral sign!

I checked the package manager, and nothing that I didn't have installed looked like it would contain things like this...

Someone else has to have already run into this problem and figured out what to do... so how do I get 'em? =)
 
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Hurkyl said:
My installation of MikTeX (and the TeXnicCenter) has bothered me for a while, because it doesn't have some of my favorite fonts, such as mathbb. ([itex]\mathbb{R}[/itex]) However, I just found out it doesn't even have the integral sign!

I checked the package manager, and nothing that I didn't have installed looked like it would contain things like this...

Someone else has to have already run into this problem and figured out what to do... so how do I get 'em? =)

Code:
\documentclass[11pt]{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\topskip 0in
\textheight 8.0in
\textwidth 6.5in
\oddsidemargin 0in
\evensidemargin 0in
\headheight 0in
\boldmath
\flushbottom
\begin{document}
\noindent

$$
\int{sin(x)}dx
$$


\end{document}

Copy and paste it, save a source file and try to compile it as a DVI. Does that give you a integral symbol?
 
Last edited:
Actually, I figured out my integral woes...

I had copied a header where I had defined \int for something. :blushing: That still doesn't explain why I couldn't find the integral sign in the documentation, though! Bad TeXnicCenter!

I'd still like to get \mathbb if you know how...
 
I believe honestrosewater is right (I've been using MikTeX as well).

Here's a good pdf file for math latex, in case you may be using the wrong function names:
http://www.maths.nottingham.ac.uk/local/Guides/short-math-guide.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Code:
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amsthm}
\usepackage{pictex}

use these and you should be fine...I cannot say for sure what package it is in but those work fine for me.

Good luck
 
\usepackage{amssymb} is enough for the blackboard bold math font, though if you use math extensively you should consider always using at least something like

Code:
\documentclass[12pt, article]{memoir}
 
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{mathtools}

\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}}

\begin{document}

$\R$

\[
\R
\]
 
\end{document}
 
Yay, it does seem to have "amssymb". (Sigh, I had only guessed at amssym and amssymbol)
 

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