Why are modern prints of math books not printed in LaTeX?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the observation that modern mathematics textbooks are not printed using LaTeX, with participants exploring the reasons behind this choice, including font styles and the practicality of converting existing texts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that they have not encountered any mathematics textbooks printed in LaTeX and expresses a preference for the LaTeX font over Times New Roman.
  • Another participant suggests that older books are not typically converted to LaTeX because they are already acceptable as they are, and converting them would be cumbersome.
  • A participant questions whether "LaTeX" refers to a font style, prompting clarification that it refers to the default font used in LaTeX documents.
  • There is a mention of Times Roman italic being the default for LaTeX math symbols, although this point is contested by another participant who denies having made that claim.
  • A later reply provides an example of a mathematics book that is printed in LaTeX, suggesting that not all textbooks follow the same printing conventions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the prevalence of LaTeX in modern textbooks, with some asserting that it is rarely used while others provide counterexamples. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the reasons for the choice of font in mathematics textbooks.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the definitions of font styles and the practicality of converting texts to LaTeX that are not fully explored. The discussion also reflects varying perspectives on the aesthetic quality of different fonts.

Samuelb88
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Title says it all. I was reading my textbook today and it dawned on me that not a single textbook on mathematics that I've read has been printed in LaTeX. Instead, I believe it's printed in Times New Roman. At any rate, I think the font style looks much worse than the standard LaTeX font. Does anyone know why this is?
 
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You mean copies of old books? I would guess because no ones really complaining about how it's typed in the old books, they look fine as they are, and converting hundreds of pages for each book into LaTeX code would be an extreme bother.
 
Are you saying "LaTex" is a font style?
 
No, when I say font style of LaTeX, I mean the the default font that is used when a document is created in LaTeX. e.g. x, y, z etc... What would you call it?
 
Times Roman italic, isn't that the default for LaTeX math symbols?
 
SammyS said:
Times Roman italic, isn't that the default for LaTeX math symbols?

I never said it was!
 

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