# Bold font in latex

• LaTeX

## Main Question or Discussion Point

$$\mathbf{\mu}$$

What is used to execute latex on this website? When I type that into TeXnic center and compile it without MikTex, it is not bold on my computer.

## Answers and Replies

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cristo
Staff Emeritus
For some reason, latex doesn't really like making greek letters bold. A workaround I found (which is a little annoying, but at least it works) is to use something like \mbox{\boldmath${\pi}$} if in a math environment.

I don't know what is used on the website.

D H
Staff Emeritus
Use \mathbf in math mode.

\mu versus \mathbf\mu $$\mu\;\mathbf\mu$$

One drawback of mathbf: Its not in italics.

a versus \mathbf a $$a\;\mathbf a$$

If you have the AMS math package (\usepackage{amssymb,amsmath}), \boldsymbol puts things in bold italics.

\mu versus \mathbf\mu versus \boldsymbol\mu $$\mu\;\mathbf\mu\;\boldsymbol\mu$$
a versus \mathbf a versus \boldsymbol a $$a\;\mathbf a\;\boldsymbol a$$

Last edited:
cristo
Staff Emeritus
Use \mathbf in math mode.

\mu versus \mathbf\mu $$\mu\;\mathbf\mu$$
Whilst that seems to work on the forum, it doesn't work for me (or, it seems, for the OP) hence why I had to find a workaround. The method you list below works fine!

If you have the AMS math package (\usepackage{amssymb,amsmath}), \boldsymbol puts things in bold italics.

\mu versus \mathbf\mu versus \boldsymbol\mu $$\mu\;\mathbf\mu\;\boldsymbol\mu$$
a versus \mathbf a versus \boldsymbol a $$a\;\boldsymbol a\;\boldsymbol a$$

D H
Staff Emeritus
I generally use \boldsymbol. Hmm, actually, I don't, at least not directly. I generally use macros for matrices and vectors, and those in turn use \boldsymbol. That way if someone tells me to use arrows for vectors I just have to change my vector macro.

you have to use the package{bm}. Then inside math environment type Greek letters as {\bm \alpha}, {\bm \beta}, etc...

usepackege{bm}

then,

${\bm beta} = {\bm \ alpha} {\bf \gamma}$

thanks...DH post was very useful!