LaTeX and Mac OS X's Grapher (advice)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around using Mac OS X's Grapher application to create LaTeX expressions for posting on Physics Forums. Participants share tips, shortcuts, and experiences related to generating LaTeX code, as well as some challenges encountered in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a method for using Grapher to generate LaTeX expressions, including a step-by-step process for copying and formatting the output for forum use.
  • Keyboard shortcuts for various mathematical symbols in Grapher are shared, with specific key combinations noted for generating symbols like square roots, pi, and integrals.
  • Another participant provides manual LaTeX equivalents for symbols like delta and approximation, suggesting that these can be used directly in forum posts.
  • Discussion includes the use of hats for variables, with examples given for \hat{i}, \hat{j}, and \hat{k}, as well as alternative representations for the dotted versions of these symbols.
  • Some participants express a preference for typing LaTeX directly rather than using Grapher, citing speed and familiarity.
  • There are mentions of issues with certain symbols not rendering correctly in LaTeX, prompting further clarification and corrections from other participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share tips and experiences, but there is no consensus on the best method for generating LaTeX expressions, as some prefer using Grapher while others favor direct typing. Additionally, there are unresolved issues regarding the rendering of specific symbols.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations are noted regarding the automatic generation of certain LaTeX symbols by Grapher, and participants highlight that not all symbols may render as expected when using specific commands.

daytripper
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LaTeX and Mac OS X's "Grapher" (advice)

Hello everyone.
I recently stumbled upon something that I consider incredibly useful (and poor practice, I realize). I figured I'd post it here in the hopes of helping someone to discover this themselves.

Using Grapher to create LaTeX expressions for PF:
Go into Mac's Grapher and type up an equation. Grapher has a fairly intuitive expression editor in it. After you've created your equation right-click on the equation. An option should pop up saying "copy LaTeX expression". After that, when posting it to the forums, simply surround what's on your clipboard with [ tex] [ /tex] (minus the extra spaces) and you're done.

Here's some useful keyboard shortcuts for things such as sqrt, sigma, and the integral thingy.
To type these symbols in grapher, hold down "alt" then press the corresponding key
= - \neq

p - \pi

w - \sum_{a}^{b}{f\left( x \right)} (notated for ease of reading)

d - \partial

/ - \div

b - \int_{a}^{b}{f\left( x \right)}

v - \sqrt{a}

V (capitol V) - \sqrt[a]{b}

alt + capitol P makes a symbol which looks familiar and apparently can be used by Grapher but there seems to be some sort of issue with the LaTeX.

You can make ∆ via alt+j but there's no latex expression for it. Same goes for ≈ with alt+x.
î can be produce via alt+i then i again, but this seems pointless as it seems you can't make j-hat or k-hat.

Anyway, I hope I've been of help.
-Tim

edit: mutton pointed out that there is a way to write delta and approximation via LaTeX (see below). Mac just doesn't do this for you. Sorry if the above comment was misleading. Thanks mutton.
 
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For manual conversion:

\Delta - \Delta
\approx - \approx
 


\hat i - \hat i

\hat j - \hat j

\hat k - \hat k

The dots on the i and j don't look nice with the hat, so:

\hat \imath - \hat \imath[/itex]<br /> <br /> \hat \jmath - \hat \jmath[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; I find that it really is fastest to just type the LaTeX directly when posting. (Then again, I&amp;#039;ve never made LaTeX code any other way.)
 


yea, but I've got an easy way out so I guess I'll never learn. haha. thanks for the tips on \hat \imath and such, though.
edit: \imath isn't working for me... my latex for that symbol is \hat \imath... not sure why
 

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