[OS X TeX] which is real math mode?

[Herbert Schulz]

On Dec 12, 2005, at 4:26 PM, Herbert Schulz wrote:

>
> On Dec 12, 2005, at 4:07 PM, Matthew Inglis wrote:
>
>>> \begin{displaymath} puts one into a displayed math environment,  
>>> like to
>>> the $$ 2 + 2 = 4 $$ of Plain TeX (which should not be used in  
>>> LaTeX).
>>
>> Why shouldn't $$...$$ be used in LaTeX? I have heard several  
>> people give this advice, but have always cheerfully ignored it  
>> with no obvious adverse consequences. Can anyone enlighten?
>>
>> Matthew.
>
> Howdy,
>
> One reason is that $ (usually; which character it is can be  
> redefined) is a TeX primitive while \(\) (in-line maths) and \[\]  
> (display maths) are a macros that default to $ and $$ but are  
> redefined when using special packages; e.g., tex4ht.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Herb Schulz
> (herbs at wideopenwest.com)

Howdy,

Sorry to answer myself but I just looked up the definitions in  
latex.ltx and there is more! LaTeX can do error checking by making  
the start and end of a math environment assymteric; e.g. you SHOULD  
NOT be in math mode when starting a mathematical expression (\( and \ 
[) and you SHOULD be in math mode when ending an expression (\) and  
\]). This is not possible with $ or $$.

Good Luck,

Herb Schulz
(herbs at wideopenwest.com)


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