Indexing Formulas in Physics Forums | Numbering & Referring

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ad VanderVen
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The discussion focuses on how to number and refer to formulas in Physics Forums using LaTeX. Users can manually number formulas, but automatic numbering can lead to inconsistencies when quoting. The MathJax or LaTeX environment numbers equations per page, which can cause confusion if multiple users are posting simultaneously. Recommendations include avoiding automatic numbering due to these issues and considering the use of macros for frequently used phrases. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent formula references in forum posts.
Ad VanderVen
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How to number formulas and how to refer to formulas in PhysicsForums?
 
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You can give them numbers manually, see formula 1. You can't add links, but if the post is so long that links are needed then the forum is probably not the right place for it anyway.
$$\frac{\pi^2}{6}=\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}\quad\quad (1)$$
Made with LaTeX.
 
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Thanks a lot for your quick reply.
 
You can put equations in the eqnarray environment. $$\begin{eqnarray}
F&=&ma
\end{eqnarray}$$But as far as I know, if someone quotes me the quote will have equation 2. So it's not great...
 
Ibix said:
You can put equations in the eqnarray environment. $$\begin{eqnarray}
F&=&ma
\end{eqnarray}$$But as far as I know, if someone quotes me the quote will have equation 2. So it's not great...
Let's test that claim. Edit: yep.
 
You can even let ##\LaTeX#3 do the numbering: with the line
$$\begin{equation} a=b \\ c = d \end {equation}$$ twice I get:
$$\begin{equation} a=b \\ c = d \end {equation}$$
$$\begin{equation} a=b \\ c = d \end {equation}$$

However, MathJax or latex itself does the numbering per page, so after a few previews, post #4 had the number ##(9)## and post #5 had the number ##(9)##

$$\begin{equation} a=b \\ c = d \\ e=f \end {equation}$$
$$\begin{equation} a=b \\ c = d \\ e=f \end {equation}$$
and twice previewing thispost, this one is at ##(19)## o0) whereas you might see ##(13)## !?
[edit:] nope, ##\it 6## !
 
...and @BvU's counter continues from mine plus my own quotation of mine. So if you type a response to either of us and, while you're typing, someone else replies, your numbers will be affected and you'll need to adjust your references.

I'd recommend against using the capability - even in the OP, since quotations from it will have different numbers. o0)
 
Same numbering problem with \begin {align}

@mfb : move to ##LaTeX## forum ?

And perhaps ask the Latexhelp author (who is it ?) to expand on the problem in 'multiple lines' where the \begin { } ... \end{...} environment is mentioned.

Wasn't there a way to restart the automatic numbering ?
seems that \setcounter{equation}{1} is ##\mbox{AMS}\TeX## (##\AMSTeX ##?), not ##\LaTeX##.

In the mean time I found here that \def is admissible, but I didn't find a way to load a set of \def comfortably ... (Phrases I use often but only once per post :cool: )
and it doesn't like BB code - understandably

(thinking of \def\PFg{PF guidelines} :oldgrumpy: )​
 
I think @fresh_42 uses some key macros and may have a way of preloading \def as well. Let's see what he says.
 
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jim mcnamara said:
I think @fresh_42 uses some key macros and may have a way of preloading \def as well. Let's see what he says.
I use a script (AutoHotkey) which allows me to define my own shortcuts, so I can put long words on a single key. In cases like
BvU said:
Phrases I use often
e.g. in order to type [Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.] I hit Ctrl+>.
 
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