How do I add mathematical notation in the Rich-Text Editor?

If MathJax is enabled in the site where you are working, and you enter a properly formatted LaTeX expression in the Rich-Text Editor, the appropriate symbol or formula will be rendered in your published content.

Site administrators can enable MathJax by following the steps in the Help article How do I enable and use LaTeX math in my site?

Once MathJax is enabled in the site, you can either:

Enter LaTeX expressions in the editor as text.

Type or paste your LaTeX expression in the editor, surrounding the symbol or formula with $ to place it inline with other text, or $$ to place the symbol or formula centered on its own line. Below are a few examples of LaTeX formulas properly formatted for use in the editor.

Inline LaTeX

Sample LaTeX formulas that would display inline with surrounding text:

$x=\frac{1+y}{1+2z^2}$

$\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx=\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$

$\sqrt{2} \sin x$, $\sqrt{2}\,\sin x$

Inline LaTeX after saving

Above is a screenshot of the formula $x=\frac{1+y}{1+2z^2}$ as it would render on the page after the text was saved.

LaTeX on its own line

Sample LaTeX formulas that would display centered on their own line:

$$x=\frac{1+y}{1+2z^2}$$

$$\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx=\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$$

$$\sqrt{2} \sin x$, $\sqrt{2}\,\sin x$$

LaTeX on its own line after saving

Above is a screenshot of the formula $$x=\frac{1+y}{1+2z^2}$$ as it would render on the page after the text was saved.

Add LaTeX using the Math button.

The Math button allows you to insert a LaTeX symbol or formula in your text and view and modify it within the editor.

Position your cursor in the editor.

Place your cursor at the position in the editor where you want the symbol or formula to appear.

Select the Math button.

The Math button displays a Greek letter sigma.

Enter the LaTeX expression.

A Mathematics in TeX dialog window will pop up. In this window:

  1. Type or paste your LaTeX expression in the Write your TeX here box. Unlike when entering LaTeX directly in the editor, the symbol or formula should not be surrounded by special notation.  Here are some sample formulas:

    x=\frac{1+y}{1+2z^2}

    \int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx=\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}

    \sqrt{2} \sin x$, $\sqrt{2}\,\sin x
  2. A preview of the symbol or formula will display.
  3. Select OK to confirm adding the expression in the editor.

View formula(s) or symbol(s).

The symbol(s) or formula(s) will be inserted into the editor.

Edit the formula(s) or symbol(s).

You can use the editor's tools to format or change the expression as follows.

Edit the font size.

To change the font size of the expression (e.g., to make it larger):

  1. Select the formula in the editor.
  2. Select the Size menu.
  3. Choose a font size other than Default. In the example pictured above, the font size of the formula has been changed to 18 point.

Change the LaTeX expression.

To edit the LaTeX expression, double-click on it, or select it in the editor and press Enter on your keyboard to open the Mathematics in TeX dialog window.