Writing LateX in Physics Forum: Tips & Tricks

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around tips and tricks for writing LaTeX in the Physics Forums, focusing on ease of use, formatting, and tools that can assist users in creating LaTeX equations. Participants share their experiences and seek advice on improving their LaTeX writing skills.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions using an online LaTeX editor to simplify the process of writing LaTeX for forum posts.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with the tediousness of LaTeX, indicating that it has deterred them from asking questions.
  • Several participants share a resource link for a guide on using LaTeX, suggesting that it can become easier with practice.
  • It is noted that only one set of (itex) or (tex) tags is needed for multiple symbols, which can streamline the writing process.
  • Participants discuss the difference between (itex) for inline LaTeX and (tex) for block display, with some expressing a preference for the (tex) command.
  • One participant mentions using a different equation editor, indicating a variety of tools being utilized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the usefulness of shared resources and tips for writing LaTeX, but there are differing opinions on the ease of use and preference for specific tools or commands.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the best practices for using LaTeX in the forum, and there are varying levels of familiarity with the commands and tools available.

Who May Find This Useful

New users of the Physics Forums interested in learning how to effectively use LaTeX for their posts, as well as those looking for alternative tools to assist in writing equations.

tsuwal
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I am new at the forums and still getting used to writing in Latex. I found that it is easier for me to write my LateX in this editor:

http://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php

and then copy to the physics forum.

So, I wanted to ask you guys, do you know any other tricks you want to share to make LateX seem easier? For example if i want to say 3 little things in LateX do I need to write
(itex) 1(/itex) bla bla (itex) 2(/itex) bla bla (itex) 3(/itex)
or is there a shortcut to "stop the lateX"?
 
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Thank you for showing me that. I've talked myself out of asking certain questions because of the extremely tedious latex that went along with it.
 
Thanks for posting! I have tried using LaTex in some of my posts and ended up not posting because I just couldn't get it the way I wanted it.

Thanks again.
 
Start with this:
https://www.physicsforums.com/misc/howtolatex.pdf

After getting used to it, \LaTeX comes pretty naturally and isn't tedius at all. As a matter of fact, it's much easier and quicker than writing equation using the superscript and subscript buttons (i.e. X2 and X2).

Note that you don't need to repeatedly keep putting the (itex) (/itex) tags for every symbol. One set of tags will do for the whole thing.

(tex) \oint_s \vec E \cdot d \vec A = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0} (/tex)
\oint_s \vec E \cdot d \vec A = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0}

Oh, and another thing. The "itex" tag is for inline LaTeX, such as \oint_s \vec E \cdot d \vec A = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0}, where the LaTeX is displayed as part of the paragraph, and some symbols get re-sized to be smaller. The "tex" tag puts the equations on their own lines, as used above.
 
Last edited:
collinsmark said:

Thanks! That will be useful!


Oh, and another thing. The "itex" tag is for inline LaTeX, such as \oint_s \vec E \cdot d \vec A = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0}, where the LaTeX is displayed as part of the paragraph, and some symbols get re-sized to be smaller. The "tex" tag puts the equations on their own lines, as used above.

I didn't knew the (tex) command just the (itex), I think (tex) is better!
 
I just use Daum Equation editor on Chrome.
 

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