Difference between revisions of "LaTeX:Commands"
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This page introduces various useful commands for rendering math in LaTeX, as well as instructions for building your own commands. | This page introduces various useful commands for rendering math in LaTeX, as well as instructions for building your own commands. | ||
− | == | + | ===Subscripts and Superscripts=== |
− | + | Subscripts and superscripts (such as exponents) can be made using the underscore _ and caret ^ symbols respectively. | |
− | |||
− | |||
{| class="latextable" | {| class="latextable" | ||
!Symbol !! Command!!Symbol!!Command | !Symbol !! Command!!Symbol!!Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |<math>2^2</math>||2^2||<math>a_i</math>||a_i | + | |<math>2^{2}</math>||2^2||<math>\textstyle a_i</math>||a_i |
|- | |- | ||
− | | <math>2^{23}</math>||2^{23}||<math>n_{i-1}</math>||n_{i-1} | + | | <math>\textstyle 2^{23}</math>||2^{23}||<math>\textstyle n_{i-1}</math>||n_{i-1} |
|- | |- | ||
| <math>a^{i+1}_3</math>||a^{i+1}_3||<math>x^{3^2}</math>||x^{3^2} | | <math>a^{i+1}_3</math>||a^{i+1}_3||<math>x^{3^2}</math>||x^{3^2} | ||
Line 18: | Line 16: | ||
| <math>2^{a_i}</math>||2^{a_i}||<math>2^a_i</math>||2^a_i | | <math>2^{a_i}</math>||2^{a_i}||<math>2^a_i</math>||2^a_i | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | Notice that we can apply both a subscript and | + | Notice that we can apply both a subscript and a superscript at the same time. For subscripts or superscripts with more than one character, you must surround what you want to be the exponent/superscript with curly braces. For example, <code>x^10</code> produces <math>x^10</math>, while <code>x^{10}</code> produces <math>x^{10}</math>. |
− | |||
− | |||
+ | ==Math Commands== | ||
+ | Here are some commonly used math commands in LaTeX: | ||
===Fractions=== | ===Fractions=== | ||
{|class="latextable" | {|class="latextable" | ||
!Symbol!!Command | !Symbol!!Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |<math>\frac {1}{2}</math>||\frac{1}{2} or \frac12 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\frac{2}{x+2}</math>||\frac{2}{x+2} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\frac{1+\frac{1}{x}}{3x + 2}</math>||\frac{1+\frac{1}{x}}{3x + 2} |
|} | |} | ||
− | + | ||
+ | |||
+ | Notice that with fractions with a 1-digit numerator and a 1-digit denominator, we can simply group the numerator and the denominator together as one number. However, for fractions with either a numerator or a denominator that requires more than one character (or if the numerator starts with a letter), you need to surround everything in curly brackets. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Use \cfrac for continued fractions. | ||
{| class="latextable" | {| class="latextable" | ||
− | ! | + | !Expression !! Command |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
|<math>\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1}}}}</math>||\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1}}}} | |<math>\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1}}}}</math>||\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1}}}} | ||
Line 53: | Line 45: | ||
!Symbol !! Command | !Symbol !! Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |<math>\sqrt{ | + | |<math>\sqrt{3}</math>||\sqrt{3} |
|- | |- | ||
| <math>\sqrt{x+y}</math>||\sqrt{x+y} | | <math>\sqrt{x+y}</math>||\sqrt{x+y} | ||
Line 65: | Line 57: | ||
===Sums, Products, Limits and Logarithms=== | ===Sums, Products, Limits and Logarithms=== | ||
− | + | Use the commands \sum, \prod, \lim, and \log respectively. To denote lower and upper bounds, or the base of the logarithm, use _ and ^ in the same way they are used for subscripts and superscripts. (Lower and upper bounds for integrals work the same way, as you'll see in the [[LaTeX:Commands#Calculus|calculus section]]) | |
{| class="latextable" | {| class="latextable" | ||
!Symbol !! Command | !Symbol !! Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |<math>\textstyle \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i}</math>||\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\textstyle \prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1}</math>||\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\textstyle \lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x}</math>||\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\textstyle \lim\limits_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x}</math>||\lim\limits_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\textstyle \log_n n^2</math>||\log_n n^2 | ||
|} | |} | ||
Some of these are prettier in display mode: | Some of these are prettier in display mode: | ||
Line 81: | Line 75: | ||
!Symbol !! Command | !Symbol !! Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |<math>\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i}</math>|| | + | |<math>\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i}</math>||\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | <math>\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1}</math>|| | + | | <math>\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1}</math>||\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | <math>\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x}</math>|| | + | | <math>\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x}</math>||\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
|} | |} | ||
Note that we can use sums, products, and logarithms without _ or ^ modifiers. | Note that we can use sums, products, and logarithms without _ or ^ modifiers. | ||
Line 91: | Line 85: | ||
!Symbol !! Command | !Symbol !! Command | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |<math>\sum\frac{1}{i}</math>|| | + | |<math>\sum\frac{1}{i}</math>||\sum\frac{1}{i} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | <math>\frac{n}{n-1}</math>||\ | + | | <math>\prod\frac{n}{n-1}</math>||\prod\frac{n}{n-1} |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\textstyle \log n^2</math>||\log n^2 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <math>\textstyle \ln e</math>||\ln e |
|} | |} | ||
Line 110: | Line 104: | ||
| <math>9\equiv 3 \mod{6}</math>||9\equiv 3 \mod{6} | | <math>9\equiv 3 \mod{6}</math>||9\equiv 3 \mod{6} | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <math>9\equiv 3 \pod{6}</math>||9\equiv 3 \pod{6} | + | | <math>9\equiv 3\pod{6}</math>||9\equiv 3 \pod{6} |
|} | |} | ||
===Combinations=== | ===Combinations=== | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\scriptstyle\binom{1}{1}</math>||\binom{1}{1} | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\scriptstyle\binom{n-1}{r-1}</math>||\binom{n-1}{r-1} | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | These often look better in display mode: | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\dbinom{9}{3}</math>||\dbinom{9}{3} | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\dbinom{n-1}{r-1}</math>||\dbinom{n-1}{r-1} | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
===Trigonometric Functions=== | ===Trigonometric Functions=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Most of these are just the abbreviation of the trigonometric function with simply a backslash added before the abbreviation. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | |||
+ | !Symbol!!Command!!Symbol!!Command!!Symbol!!Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\textstyle \cos</math>||\cos||<math>\textstyle \sin</math>||\sin||<math>\textstyle \tan</math>||\tan | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\sec</math>||\sec||<math>\textstyle \textstyle \csc</math>||\csc||<math>\textstyle \cot</math>||\cot | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle \arccos</math>||\arccos||<math>\textstyle \arcsin</math>||\arcsin||<math>\textstyle \arctan</math>||\arctan | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle \cosh</math>||\cosh||<math>\textstyle \sinh</math>||\sinh||<math>\textstyle \tanh</math>||\tanh | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle \coth</math>||\coth | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | Here are a couple examples: | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\textstyle \cos^2 x +\sin^2 x = 1</math>||\cos^2 x +\sin^2 x = 1 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\cos 90^\circ = 0</math>||\cos 90^\circ = 0 | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
===Calculus=== | ===Calculus=== | ||
+ | Below are examples of calculus expressions rendered in LaTeX. Most of these commands have been introduced before. Notice how definite integrals are rendered (and the difference between inline math and display mode for definite integrals). The \, in the integrals makes a small space before the dx. | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2\right) = 2x</math>||\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2\right) = 2x | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\int 2x\,dx = x^2+C</math>||\int 2x\,dx = x^2+C | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\int^5_1 2x\,dx = 24</math>||\int^5_1 2x\,dx = 24 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial x^2} + \frac{\partial^2U}{\partial y^2}</math>||\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial x^2} + \frac{\partial^2U}{\partial y^2} | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\frac{1}{4\pi}\oint_\Sigma\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial U}{\partial n} ds</math>||\frac{1}{4\pi}\oint_\Sigma\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial U}{\partial n} ds | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <math>\text{TA-DA!!!}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | == LaTeX == | ||
===Other Functions=== | ===Other Functions=== | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\arg</math>||\arg||<math>\textstyle\deg</math>||\deg||<math>\textstyle\det</math>||\det | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\dim</math>||\dim||<math>\textstyle\exp</math>||\exp||<math>\textstyle\gcd</math>||\gcd | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |<math>\hom</math>||\hom||<math>\inf</math>||\inf||<math>\ker</math>||\ker | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle\lg</math>||\lg||<math>\liminf</math>||\liminf||<math>\limsup</math>||\limsup | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle\max</math>||\max||<math>\textstyle\min</math>||\min||<math>\Pr</math>||\Pr | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\sup</math>||\sup||<math>\smiley</math>||\smiley | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | Some of these commands take subscripts in the same way sums, products, and logarithms do. Some render differently in display mode and inline math mode. | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\dim_x</math>||\dim_x||<math>\textstyle\gcd_x</math>||\gcd_x||<math>\inf_x</math>||\inf_x | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\liminf_x</math>||\liminf_x||<math>\limsup_x</math>||\limsup_x||<math>\textstyle\max_x</math>||\max_x | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | <math>\textstyle\min_x</math>||\min_x||<math>\Pr_x</math>||\Pr_x||<math>\sup_x</math>||\sup_x | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
==Matrices== | ==Matrices== | ||
− | We can build an array or matrix with the \begin{array} | + | We can build an array or matrix with the \begin{array}…\end{array} commands, and use \left and \right to properly size the delimiters around the matrix: |
<pre><nowiki> | <pre><nowiki> | ||
The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the | The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the | ||
Line 125: | Line 206: | ||
\left( | \left( | ||
\begin{array}{ccc} | \begin{array}{ccc} | ||
− | a & b & c | + | a & b & c <br />d & e & f <br />g & h & i \end{array} |
− | d & e & f | ||
− | g & h & i \end{array} | ||
\right)\] | \right)\] | ||
is given by the equation | is given by the equation | ||
Line 133: | Line 212: | ||
= \left| | = \left| | ||
\begin{array}{ccc} | \begin{array}{ccc} | ||
− | \lambda - a & -b & -c | + | \lambda - a & -b & -c <br />-d & \lambda - e & -f <br />-g & -h & \lambda - i \end{array} |
− | -d & \lambda - e & -f | ||
− | -g & -h & \lambda - i \end{array} | ||
\right|.\] | \right|.\] | ||
</nowiki> | </nowiki> | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
− | More simply, we can use the shortcut | + | More simply, we can use the shortcut matrix environments in the amsmath package: |
<pre><nowiki> | <pre><nowiki> | ||
The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the | The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the | ||
Line 145: | Line 222: | ||
\[ | \[ | ||
\begin{pmatrix} | \begin{pmatrix} | ||
− | a & b & c | + | a & b & c |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
= \begin{vmatrix} | = \begin{vmatrix} | ||
− | \lambda - a & -b & -c | + | \lambda - a & -b & -c <br />-d & \lambda - e & -f <br />-g & -h & \lambda - i |
− | -d & \lambda - e & -f | + | \end{vmaix}.\] |
− | -g & -h & \lambda - i | ||
− | \end{ | ||
</nowiki></pre> | </nowiki></pre> | ||
− | You can read more about how the array | + | You can read more about how the array environment works [[LaTeX:Layout|here]] (it works the same as tabular). |
− | We can also use this environment to typeset any mathematics that calls for multiple columns, such as | + | We can also use this environment to typeset any mathematics that calls for multiple columns, such as piecewise-defined functions like this one: |
<pre><nowiki> | <pre><nowiki> | ||
\[ f(x) = \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} | \[ f(x) = \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} | ||
− | x+7 & \mbox{if $5< x$}; | + | x+7 & \mbox{if $5< x$};<br />x^2-3 & \mbox{if $-3 \le x \le 5$};<br />-x & \mbox{if $x < -3$}.\end{array} \right. \] |
− | x^2-3 & \mbox{if $-3 \le x \le 5$}; | ||
− | -x & \mbox{if $x < -3$}.\end{array} \right. \] | ||
</nowiki></pre> | </nowiki></pre> | ||
==Text Styles in Math Mode== | ==Text Styles in Math Mode== | ||
+ | You can render letters in various styles in math mode. Below are examples; you should be able to use these with any letters. The \mathbb requires the amsfonts package to be included in your document's preamble. Do not try to do \mathbb{year}. You'll get <math>\mathbb{year}</math>, and that looks nothing like it! | ||
+ | {| class="latextable" | ||
+ | !Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command!!Symbol !! Command | ||
+ | |-hcal{R}<math>||\mathcal{R}||</math>\mathfrak{R}<math>||\mathfrak{R} | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Image:Mathbb1.gif]]||\mathbb{Z}||</math>\mathbf{Z}<math>||\mathbf{Z}||</math>\mathcal{Z}<math>||\mathcal{Z}||</math>\mathfrak{Z}<math>||\mathfrak{Z} | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | </math>\mathbb{Q}<math>||\mathbb{Q}||</math>\mathbf{Q}<math>||\mathbf{Q}||</math>\mathcal{Q}<math>||\mathcal{Q}||</math>most useful in <nowiki>$$...$$</nowiki> or <nowiki>$...$</nowiki> mode, where breaking up the math mode would force the output on to a new line entirely. | ||
+ | So | ||
+ | <pre><nowiki> | ||
+ | $$n^2 + 5 = 30\text{ so we have }n=\pm5$$ | ||
+ | </nowiki></pre> | ||
+ | gives | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Image:Text1.gif]] | ||
+ | |||
==How to Build Your Own Commands== | ==How to Build Your Own Commands== | ||
The command \newcommand is used to create your own commands. We'll start with an example: | The command \newcommand is used to create your own commands. We'll start with an example: | ||
Line 186: | Line 270: | ||
The hypotenuse has length $\hypot{3}{4}$. | The hypotenuse has length $\hypot{3}{4}$. | ||
− | I'm sick of writing `$\backslash$sqrt[3]{2}' all the time, just to get $\cbrt{2}$. | + | I'm sick of writing `$\backslash$sqrt[3]{2}$' all the time, just to get $\cbrt{2}$. |
\end{document} | \end{document} | ||
Line 215: | Line 299: | ||
\prob{What is $\sqrt{100}$?}{81}{10}{9}{1} | \prob{What is $\sqrt{100}$?}{81}{10}{9}{1} | ||
− | \prob{Evaluate $ | + | \prob{Evaluate $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}$.} |
− | {$ | + | {$\frac{1}{e}$} {$\frac{2}{\pi}$} |
− | {$ | + | {$\frac{\pi^3}{8}$} {$\frac{\pi^2}{6}$} |
\end{document} | \end{document} |
Latest revision as of 21:24, 7 June 2024
LaTeX |
About - Getting Started - Diagrams - Symbols - Downloads - Basics - Math - Examples - Pictures - Layout - Commands - Packages - Help |
This page introduces various useful commands for rendering math in LaTeX, as well as instructions for building your own commands.
Contents
Subscripts and Superscripts
Subscripts and superscripts (such as exponents) can be made using the underscore _ and caret ^ symbols respectively.
Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2^2 | ![]() |
a_i |
![]() |
2^{23} | ![]() |
n_{i-1} |
![]() |
a^{i+1}_3 | ![]() |
x^{3^2} |
![]() |
2^{a_i} | ![]() |
2^a_i |
Notice that we can apply both a subscript and a superscript at the same time. For subscripts or superscripts with more than one character, you must surround what you want to be the exponent/superscript with curly braces. For example, x^10
produces , while
x^{10}
produces .
Math Commands
Here are some commonly used math commands in LaTeX:
Fractions
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\frac{1}{2} or \frac12 |
![]() |
\frac{2}{x+2} |
![]() |
\frac{1+\frac{1}{x}}{3x + 2} |
Notice that with fractions with a 1-digit numerator and a 1-digit denominator, we can simply group the numerator and the denominator together as one number. However, for fractions with either a numerator or a denominator that requires more than one character (or if the numerator starts with a letter), you need to surround everything in curly brackets.
Use \cfrac for continued fractions.
Expression | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1+\cfrac{2}{1}}}} |
Radicals
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\sqrt{3} |
![]() |
\sqrt{x+y} |
![]() |
\sqrt{x+\frac{1}{2}} |
![]() |
\sqrt[3]{3} |
![]() |
\sqrt[n]{x} |
Sums, Products, Limits and Logarithms
Use the commands \sum, \prod, \lim, and \log respectively. To denote lower and upper bounds, or the base of the logarithm, use _ and ^ in the same way they are used for subscripts and superscripts. (Lower and upper bounds for integrals work the same way, as you'll see in the calculus section)
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i} |
![]() |
\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1} |
![]() |
\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
![]() |
\lim\limits_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
![]() |
\log_n n^2 |
Some of these are prettier in display mode:
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{i} |
![]() |
\prod_{n=1}^5\frac{n}{n-1} |
![]() |
\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x} |
Note that we can use sums, products, and logarithms without _ or ^ modifiers.
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\sum\frac{1}{i} |
![]() |
\prod\frac{n}{n-1} |
![]() |
\log n^2 |
![]() |
\ln e |
Mods
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
9\equiv 3 \bmod{6} |
![]() |
9\equiv 3 \pmod{6} |
![]() |
9\equiv 3 \mod{6} |
![]() |
9\equiv 3 \pod{6} |
Combinations
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\binom{1}{1} |
![]() |
\binom{n-1}{r-1} |
These often look better in display mode:
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\dbinom{9}{3} |
![]() |
\dbinom{n-1}{r-1} |
Trigonometric Functions
Most of these are just the abbreviation of the trigonometric function with simply a backslash added before the abbreviation.
Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
\cos | ![]() |
\sin | ![]() |
\tan |
![]() |
\sec | ![]() |
\csc | ![]() |
\cot |
![]() |
\arccos | ![]() |
\arcsin | ![]() |
\arctan |
![]() |
\cosh | ![]() |
\sinh | ![]() |
\tanh |
![]() |
\coth |
Here are a couple examples:
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\cos^2 x +\sin^2 x = 1 |
![]() |
\cos 90^\circ = 0 |
Calculus
Below are examples of calculus expressions rendered in LaTeX. Most of these commands have been introduced before. Notice how definite integrals are rendered (and the difference between inline math and display mode for definite integrals). The \, in the integrals makes a small space before the dx.
Symbol | Command |
---|---|
![]() |
\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2\right) = 2x |
![]() |
\int 2x\,dx = x^2+C |
![]() |
\int^5_1 2x\,dx = 24 |
![]() |
\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial x^2} + \frac{\partial^2U}{\partial y^2} |
![]() |
\frac{1}{4\pi}\oint_\Sigma\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial U}{\partial n} ds |
LaTeX
Other Functions
Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
\arg | ![]() |
\deg | ![]() |
\det |
![]() |
\dim | ![]() |
\exp | ![]() |
\gcd |
![]() |
\hom | ![]() |
\inf | ![]() |
\ker |
![]() |
\lg | ![]() |
\liminf | ![]() |
\limsup |
![]() |
\max | ![]() |
\min | ![]() |
\Pr |
![]() |
\sup | ![]() |
\smiley |
Some of these commands take subscripts in the same way sums, products, and logarithms do. Some render differently in display mode and inline math mode.
Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
\dim_x | ![]() |
\gcd_x | ![]() |
\inf_x |
![]() |
\liminf_x | ![]() |
\limsup_x | ![]() |
\max_x |
![]() |
\min_x | ![]() |
\Pr_x | ![]() |
\sup_x |
Matrices
We can build an array or matrix with the \begin{array}…\end{array} commands, and use \left and \right to properly size the delimiters around the matrix:
The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the $3 \times 3$ matrix \[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc} a & b & c <br />d & e & f <br />g & h & i \end{array} \right)\] is given by the equation \[ f(\lambda) = \left| \begin{array}{ccc} \lambda - a & -b & -c <br />-d & \lambda - e & -f <br />-g & -h & \lambda - i \end{array} \right|.\]
More simply, we can use the shortcut matrix environments in the amsmath package:
The characteristic polynomial $f(\lambda)$ of the $3 \times 3$ matrix \[ \begin{pmatrix} a & b & c = \begin{vmatrix} \lambda - a & -b & -c <br />-d & \lambda - e & -f <br />-g & -h & \lambda - i \end{vmaix}.\]
You can read more about how the array environment works here (it works the same as tabular).
We can also use this environment to typeset any mathematics that calls for multiple columns, such as piecewise-defined functions like this one:
\[ f(x) = \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} x+7 & \mbox{if $5< x$};<br />x^2-3 & \mbox{if $-3 \le x \le 5$};<br />-x & \mbox{if $x < -3$}.\end{array} \right. \]
Text Styles in Math Mode
You can render letters in various styles in math mode. Below are examples; you should be able to use these with any letters. The \mathbb requires the amsfonts package to be included in your document's preamble. Do not try to do \mathbb{year}. You'll get , and that looks nothing like it!
$$n^2 + 5 = 30\text{ so we have }n=\pm5$$
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How to Build Your Own Commands
The command \newcommand is used to create your own commands. We'll start with an example:
\documentclass[11pt]{article} \usepackage{amsmath} \pdfpagewidth 8.5in \pdfpageheight 11in \newcommand{\reci}[1]{\frac{1}{#1}} \newcommand{\hypot}[2]{\sqrt{#1^2+#2^2}} \newcommand{\cbrt}[1]{\sqrt[3]{#1}} \begin{document} The reciprocal of 2 is $\reci{2}$. The hypotenuse has length $\hypot{3}{4}$. I'm sick of writing `$\backslash$sqrt[3]{2}$' all the time, just to get $\cbrt{2}$. \end{document}
The \newcommand declarations are in the preamble. Each is of the form
\newcommand{name of new command}[number of arguments]{definition}
The name of the new command, which must begin with a \, is the name you'll use in the document to use the command. The number of arguments is how many inputs will be sent to the command. The definition is just normal LaTeX code, with #1, #2, #3, etc., placed where you want the inputs to go when the new command is called.
New commands can be used for all sorts of purposes, not just for making math commands you'll use a lot easier to call. For example, try this:
\documentclass[11pt]{article} \usepackage{amsmath} \pdfpagewidth 8.5in \pdfpageheight 11in \newcounter{prob_num} \setcounter{prob_num}{1} \newcommand{\prob}[5]{\bigskip \bigskip\arabic{prob_num}.\stepcounter{prob_num} #1 \par\nopagebreak[4]\medskip A.\ #2\hfill B.\ #3\hfill C.\ #4\hfill D.\ #5\hfill E.\ NOTA} \begin{document} \prob{What is $2+2$?}{4}{5}{6}{7} \prob{What is $\sqrt{100}$?}{81}{10}{9}{1} \prob{Evaluate $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}$.} {$\frac{1}{e}$} {$\frac{2}{\pi}$} {$\frac{\pi^3}{8}$} {$\frac{\pi^2}{6}$} \end{document}
In the example above, we create a new command called \prob. Each time we call \prob, we supply 5 arguments, one for the question and one for each of the multiple choices.
In the preamble and the definition of \prob, you'll see a few new LaTeX commands:
\newcounter{prob_num} creates a counter variable called prob_num
\setcounter{prob_num}{1} setsprob_num to equal 1.
In the definition of \prob, the \bigskip and \medskip commands create vertical space.
\arabic{prob_num} prints out the current value of the counter prob_num as an arabic numeral.
\stepcounter{prob_num} increments the counter prob_num by 1.
\nopagebreak[4] tells LaTeX not to break the page between the problem and the choices unless it really, really, really has to.
The \hfill commands put roughly equal space between the choices.
Once you build a body of custom commands that you will be using in many LaTeX documents, you should learn about creating your own package so you don't have to copy all your custom commands from document to document.
See Also
Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command | Symbol | Command |
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