Markdown guide · Code, tables, diagrams & math

Math equations

Write formulas in LaTeX: $…$ in a sentence, $$ … $$ on their own lines.

Math is written in LaTeX, the notation scientists and engineers use. Put a formula between single dollar signs to keep it in the sentence:

You type

The area of a circle is $\pi r^2$, and $e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0$.

You get

The area of a circle is $π r^{2}$ , and $e^{i π} + 1 = 0$ .

For an equation on its own line, put $$ on the lines above and below it:

You type

$$
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
$$

You get

x = \frac{- b \pm \sqrt{b^{2} - 4 a c}}{2 a}

This is the notation GitHub, Obsidian, VS Code, Jupyter and Pandoc use, so your formulas show up there too. A code block with the language math works as well.

Click Insert equation (Σ) on the toolbar to write a formula with a live preview. Choose On its own line or In the sentence.
The buttons above the LaTeX box add fractions, roots, sums, integrals, matrices, Greek letters and symbols. Select some LaTeX first to put it inside the fraction, root or brackets you click.
Press Tab to jump to the next empty {} the buttons leave behind.
Click a formula (or select an equation and press Enter) to edit it. You can also move the cursor into a formula in the sentence and edit the LaTeX in place.
Typing $, a formula and a closing $ in Styled Mode turns it into math as you type.

Printing, PDF and web pages include the drawn formulas. Word export turns them into real Word equations you can edit in Word.

Good to know A dollar sign followed by a space or a digit isn't math, so prices like $5 and $10 stay as text. To write a dollar sign that would otherwise start a formula, type \$.

Tip Writing LaTeX math lists the common commands.

Write Markdown without memorizing it.

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