Math equations
Write math equations with LaTeX syntax.
Inline math
To render an equation inline, wrap it in single dollars $…$.
Example:
The hypotenuse is $\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}$.
Renders as:
The hypotenuse is .
A
$…$is only treated as math when there's no space right after the opening$and no space right before the closing$(spaces in between are fine, e.g.$x_2 = 4$). Anything else — including currency amounts like$61— is left as a plain dollar sign. See Dollar signs in regular text below.
Block math
To render an equation as a centered block, wrap it in double dollars $$ placed on their own lines.
Example:
$$
\begin{vmatrix}a & b\\
c & d
\end{vmatrix}=ad-bc
$$
Renders as:
The difference is the line break: $$…$$ on one line renders inline, while $$ split across separate lines renders as a block.
Documentation on supported math syntax can be found in KaTeX docs.
Dollar signs in regular text
A $ only starts inline math when it's immediately followed by a non-space character and there's a matching $ later on the same line with a non-space character right before it. Any other $ is treated as a literal dollar sign — so currency amounts render as plain text, even when a sentence mentions several:
Solar cost about $61 per MWh, cheaper than gas at $76/MWh.
renders exactly as written — no escaping needed. Prose and real math happily coexist:
It costs $5, and the area is $a^2$.
Here $5 stays literal (nothing pairs with it), while $a^2$ renders as math. Math that starts with a digit works too, as long as it forms a proper span — $2*4=8$ renders as an equation.
If you ever want to force a literal dollar sign, escape it with a backslash: \$.
