Italics in Math Equations

I've seen plenty of papers in the literature with equations that are practically unreadable. My main issue is that these manuscripts fail to follow a very simple guide in mathematical notation:

If the term in question is a variable, then it should be italicized. All other terms should NOT be italicized.

Do NOT Italicize:

• function names (sin, cos, log, ln etc...)
• dimensionless numbers (Re, Pr, Ra...)
• exact infinitesimal increments (dx, dy et... in BOTH integrals and differentials)
• descriptive text

Here are some examples:

Another special case is with indices. The same rules still apply so that if the index is a variable, then it must be italicized. If it refers to a type of procedure (e.g. average, maximum...) it should NOT be italicized. If it refers to an entitye (e.g. gas, fluid, solid, particle...) then it should NOT be italicized. Some examples include

In the last two examples, g and d refer to gas and particle diameter, respectively. Here, I am assuming that the particle diameter is a constant.

Voila!

Hope that helps a bit. If you think of something else, please feel free to add.

Cite as:
Saad, T. "Italics in Math Equations". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. https://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/italics-in-math-equations.html

LaTeX Letter Template

Here's a LaTeX letter template for two print formats. Use the first to print on paper WITHOUT a letter head and the second on paper WITH a letter head.

• LaTeX letter template for paper without letter head [tex][pdf]
• LaTeX letter template for paper with letter head [tex][pdf]

Voila!

Cite as:
Saad, T. "LaTeX Letter Template". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. https://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/latex-letter-template.html

How to Post LaTeX Equations in Blogger

I've gone through several approaches to post math equations on blogger (check my previous posts here, and here). I found that the most effective and stable method is the one based on the CodeCogs server. Here's how it works:

1. Go to the codecogs online LaTeX editor
2. Type in your equations LaTeX
3. Copy the HTML code that is generated at the bottom of the page
4. Paste it in Blogger (either in the "Edit HTML" or "Compose views").

Here are the settings that I use:

• image type: png
• font: Sans Serif
• fontsize: (10 pt) normal
• resolution: 120 dpi
• background: white
• uncheck inline and compressed
• choose: HTML (Edit) at the bottom (this allows you to click on the generated image and edit your equations! you'll have to copy the updated HTML though)

Voila!

Cite as:
Saad, T. "How to Post LaTeX Equations in Blogger". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. https://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-post-latex-equations-in-blogger.html

Transparency, Opacity, or Alpha settings for CSS Backgrounds

Try:

background:rgba(r,g,b,alpha-value)

Voila!
For example, on this blog, I use rgba(255,255,255,0.8) for the background wrapper.

Cite as:
Saad, T. "Transparency, Opacity, or Alpha settings for CSS Backgrounds". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. https://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/transparency-opacity-or-alpha-settings.html

Mathtype and Office 2010

Move the following files

• ...\MathType Install Dir\MathPage\MathPage.wll
• ...\MathType Install Dir\Office Support\MathType Commands 6 For Word.dotm
• ...\MathType Install Dir\Office Support\WordCmds.dot

To

...\Office Install Dir\Office14\STARTUP

Voila!

Cite as:
Saad, T. "Mathtype and Office 2010". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. https://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/mathtype-and-office-2010.html