What are some helpful resources for writing math notes in LaTeX?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around resources and tools for writing math notes in LaTeX, including software recommendations, font choices, and alternative methods for creating mathematical notation. Participants explore both the technical aspects of LaTeX and user experiences with various programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the program used in a specific example of math notes, noting the readability of the font.
  • One participant mentions the Math Input Panel in Windows 7 as a tool for drawing mathematical notation, though they find it cumbersome with a mouse.
  • Another participant confirms that the example uses standard LaTeX with the default Computer Modern font and encourages learning LaTeX for its utility in mathematics.
  • There are suggestions for using Mathematica for creating visually appealing notes, highlighting its ability to quickly input complex characters.
  • Participants discuss the use of Detexify, a tool that converts drawn symbols into LaTeX code, and express its usefulness as a reference.
  • Some participants mention Microsoft Word's equation editor as a simpler alternative, though they note that its typesetting is not as refined as LaTeX.
  • There are mentions of the intuitive nature of LaTeX code for many symbols and the possibility of creating new commands for symbols.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the utility of LaTeX for writing mathematics, but there are multiple competing views regarding the best tools and methods for doing so. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal approach for different users.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about specific software functionalities and the learning curve associated with LaTeX. There are also mentions of limitations in certain tools, such as compatibility issues with web browsers.

MotoPayton
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I want to make my own math notes in the same style as this. Anyone know the program that is used?

It is the easiest to read font I have ever read in my life!

http://www.math.cornell.edu/~bterrell/dn.pdf
 
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There is a program in Windows 7 called Math Input Panel that allows you to draw mathematical notation on a panel and it translates it into math characters, this seems to be, or else has an identical end result, as in your link.

In my experience it is somewhat cumbersome with a mouse/touchpad, but if you have a drawing tablet it would mostly likely be extremely helpful.
 
It seems to be standard LaTeX. Are you familiar with LaTeX??
 
No I have never heard of Latex.. I'll check it out though! Any chance anyone knows what font this guy is using?
 
This is standard latex, default Computer Modern font. MotoPayton, I suggest learning latex, it's pretty easy and it's mathematician's must-have knowledge.
 
MotoPayton said:
No I have never heard of Latex.. I'll check it out though!
You can practice it on the forum. See: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=546968

Any chance anyone knows what font this guy is using?

If you search for "How can I find out the fonts in a PDF document", you can find various simple ways of doing this. How to do it depends on what operating system you use.
 
camillio said:
This is standard latex, default Computer Modern font. MotoPayton, I suggest learning latex, it's pretty easy and it's mathematician's must-have knowledge.

I second that. Latex is super powerful. Not only for equations but for general text formatting as well. I learned it recently. It took me about a week to be somewhat efficient at it, but it is totally worth it!
 
Vorde said:
There is a program in Windows 7 called Math Input Panel that allows you to draw mathematical notation on a panel and it translates it into math characters, this seems to be, or else has an identical end result, as in your link.

In my experience it is somewhat cumbersome with a mouse/touchpad, but if you have a drawing tablet it would mostly likely be extremely helpful.

the math input panel would be nice, if it worked.. (see attachment)

Mathematica is quite nice for making pretty looking notes, most 'hard to keyboard' characters can be done by pressing :esc: stuff :esc:, a definite integral is done by :esc:dintt:esc:, once you get used to it you can write stuff up pretty quickly

I usually just use a graphics tablet alongside smoothdraw, khanacademy style!
 

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Practically 100% of people who write mathematics papers use Latex. It takes a little while to get used to, but when you've got it, it's fantastic.

If you are planning on writing quite a bit of maths, it's well worth the effort of learning how to use it.
 
  • #10
genericusrnme said:
the math input panel would be nice, if it worked.. (see attachment)

Mathematica is quite nice for making pretty looking notes, most 'hard to keyboard' characters can be done by pressing :esc: stuff :esc:, a definite integral is done by :esc:dintt:esc:, once you get used to it you can write stuff up pretty quickly

I usually just use a graphics tablet alongside smoothdraw, khanacademy style!

Yikes, I suggest a much better route, use this link!
http://detexify.kirelabs.org/classify.html

You write the symbol, and out pops the latex code. I refer to it all the time :) Oh, from what I recall, it doesn't work in internet explorer as your drawing doesn't appear.

If you really want to cheat, you can also use microsoft word 2007 or later. The equation editor can be toggled by "alt (and) =" and most latex commands work for shortcuts. What's nice about word is that it's a wysiwyg, though the typeset isn't quite as nice at latex.
 
  • #11
theorem4.5.9 said:
Yikes, I suggest a much better route, use this link!
http://detexify.kirelabs.org/classify.html

You write the symbol, and out pops the latex code. I refer to it all the time :) Oh, from what I recall, it doesn't work in internet explorer as your drawing doesn't appear.

If you really want to cheat, you can also use microsoft word 2007 or later. The equation editor can be toggled by "alt (and) =" and most latex commands work for shortcuts. What's nice about word is that it's a wysiwyg, though the typeset isn't quite as nice at latex.

Oh wow, I was looking for that site a few days ago!

ty buddy :biggrin:

Also Mathematica let's you copy your nicely written text as latex, it's pretty handy too.
 
  • #12
theorem4.5.9 said:
Yikes, I suggest a much better route, use this link!
http://detexify.kirelabs.org/classify.html

You write the symbol, and out pops the latex code. I refer to it all the time :) Oh, from what I recall, it doesn't work in internet explorer as your drawing doesn't appear.

If you really want to cheat, you can also use microsoft word 2007 or later. The equation editor can be toggled by "alt (and) =" and most latex commands work for shortcuts. What's nice about word is that it's a wysiwyg, though the typeset isn't quite as nice at latex.

Obviously I still suggest properly learning how to use latex, but that's a really cool site - would be useful as a reference when you can't remember the code for some symbol and want a quick answer instead of trawling through a huge list.

In general, you can guess the latex code for most symbols though - most of it is quite intuitive. And, of course, the above doesn't help you in how to format your latex correctly - I'd suggest some of the online tutorials and a look at some of the common latex tips to get going.

One other point is that you can create new commands for symbols, I think, if you don't like the original code.
 

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