Mathematical Notation

2026-02-12· 2 min read· 352 words

Write mathematical equations using LaTeX syntax with KaTeX rendering.

Mathematical Notation

Rhizome supports mathematical notation using LaTeX syntax, rendered with KaTeX. Both inline and block math are supported.

Inline Math

Wrap LaTeX in single dollar signs for inline equations:

The famous mass-energy equivalence E=mc2E = mc^2 shows that energy and mass are related.

Other examples:

  • The quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
  • Euler's number: e=limn(1+1n)ne = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^n
  • The golden ratio: ϕ=1+521.618\phi = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \approx 1.618
  • The area of a circle: A=πr2A = \pi r^2

Block Math

Use double dollar signs for centered block equations:

The Gaussian integral:

ex2dx=π\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx = \sqrt{\pi}

Euler's identity, combining five fundamental constants:

eiπ+1=0e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0

Common Formulas

Calculus

Derivative definition:

f(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)hf'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h}

Integration by parts:

udv=uvvdu\int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du

Taylor series expansion:

f(x)=n=0f(n)(a)n!(xa)nf(x) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{f^{(n)}(a)}{n!}(x-a)^n

Linear Algebra

Matrix multiplication:

(AB)ij=kAikBkj(AB)_{ij} = \sum_{k} A_{ik} B_{kj}

The determinant of a 2×2 matrix:

det(abcd)=adbc\det\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} = ad - bc

Probability

Bayes' theorem:

P(AB)=P(BA)P(A)P(B)P(A|B) = \frac{P(B|A)P(A)}{P(B)}

Expected value:

E[X]=i=1nxiP(xi)E[X] = \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i P(x_i)

Physics

Newton's second law:

F=maF = ma

Schrödinger equation:

itΨ=H^Ψi\hbar\frac{\partial}{\partial t}\Psi = \hat{H}\Psi

Maxwell's equations (differential form):

E=ρϵ0\nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} = \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0}

B=0\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = 0

×E=Bt\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}

×B=μ0J+μ0ϵ0Et\nabla \times \mathbf{B} = \mu_0\mathbf{J} + \mu_0\epsilon_0\frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t}

Greek Letters

LowercaseUppercaseCode
α\alphaAA\alpha, A
β\betaBB\beta, B
γ\gammaΓ\Gamma\gamma, \Gamma
δ\deltaΔ\Delta\delta, \Delta
ϵ\epsilonEE\epsilon, E
θ\thetaΘ\Theta\theta, \Theta
λ\lambdaΛ\Lambda\lambda, \Lambda
π\piΠ\Pi\pi, \Pi
σ\sigmaΣ\Sigma\sigma, \Sigma
ϕ\phiΦ\Phi\phi, \Phi
ω\omegaΩ\Omega\omega, \Omega

Syntax Reference

  • Superscript: x^2x2x^2
  • Subscript: x_ixix_i
  • Fraction: \frac{a}{b}ab\frac{a}{b}
  • Square root: \sqrt{x}x\sqrt{x}
  • Sum: \sum_{i=1}^{n}i=1n\sum_{i=1}^{n}
  • Product: \prod_{i=1}^{n}i=1n\prod_{i=1}^{n}
  • Integral: \int_{a}^{b}ab\int_{a}^{b}
  • Limit: \lim_{x \to \infty}limx\lim_{x \to \infty}
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LaTeX Escaping

In MDX files, use single backslashes for LaTeX commands. The processor handles the escaping correctly during rendering.