Psychic - LaTeX Formatting Style
Guide
LaTeX is a powerful typesetting tool used to render mathematics
into a readable style. This guide is not aimed at teaching you how
to use LaTeX but instead what styles and conventions are required
by this project. We include several resources below if you wish to
brush up or learn LaTeX.
Suggested LaTeX Resources
The best way to learn LaTeX is through examples and by using online
resources like
Overleaf
Art of Problem Solving
LaTeX Symbols
LaTeX Gen Tool for Psychic
Note the last item is a Psychic Project specific tool that will help you convert
math to proper LaTeX format required in this project.
Required LaTeX Deliminators
In this project the only acceptable deliminators for math-mode are
\(...\) to be used for inline math
\[...\] to be used for display math
Display LaTeX
Markd
own
A basic
fact
from
trig is \
(\sin(\
pi/2) =
1\).
A
famous
formula
in
Physics
is
\[
E=
mc^2\,.
\]
Delimiters & Punctuation
In this project proper punctuation is paramount! When combining this with math delimiters
please take special note:
Math Mode Style Punctuation Rule Example
Inline math Punctuation → OUTSIDE If \(x=2\) then \(x^2 = 4\).
Display Style math Punctuation → INSIDE If \(x=2\) then
\[
x^2 = 4.
\]
Delimiter Warning
DO NOT USE $...$ or $$...$$ in this project – they are not permitted as they
confuse with the dollar symbol.
Required Style for Multiple Steps Equations
Often you will need to write math that consists of a series of
equalities or a series of steps. In this project, there is a specific way
this needs to be done. The allowed and a few not allowed options are
shown below:
Allo Display LaTeX Rational
wed Markd e
? own
\[ Uses the
\ aligned
begin{ environm
aligned ent which
} is the
f(x) &= required
x^2 + style for
5x + 7 this
-6x -9 \\ project.
Goo
&=
d
x^2 -x-
2\\
&=
(x+1)
(x-2)
\
end{ali
gned}
\]
\[ Uses the
\ aligned
begin{ environm
aligned ent for
} systems
z &= of
3x- equations
5y+w \\ .
Goo z &=
d x+y+w\
\
z &=
2x+2y
+2w
\
end{ali
gned}
\]
Bad \(5(x - All the
2) - 3 = steps are
5x - 10 on one
-3= line. This
5x - is not
13\) permitted
in this
project.
\(12x - Although
3= these
57\) related
\(12x = steps are
60\) on
\(x = multiple
5\) lines,
they are
Bad each in
their own
math
environm
ent. This
is not
permitted
in this
project.
Important Details about Aligned Environment
When using the aligned environment note the following crucial details:
The equations are encapsulated by \begin{aligned} \
end{aligned}.
The symbol ‘&’ is a special symbol here which lines up the ‘=’
signs for us.
Each line is seperated by another special symbol ‘\\’
The whole alignment environment is in math mode using \( \). If
we want to display this we could use \[ \].
Special Symbol Warning
Symbols like & and $ are reserved LaTeX symbols and must be used with
appropriately. If you want to write something like the
Then you would need to write it as
If $x = \$4$ \& $y = $\$5 then $x+ y = \$9$.
Note that we use the escape character \ in front of these special
symbols. We strongly recommend avoiding these situations if possible.
Symbols & Operators
Greek Symbols
Often you will need to use Greek symbols such as
Δ, θ, π, λ
In LaTeX these symbols can be written in math-mode as
\Delta, \Theta, \pi, \lambda.
Although most of the time, the LaTeX code is just the symbol name,
please consult the links at the top of this document for complete
documentation on this. For example
Display LaTeX Markdown
\[
\alpha\sin(\theta + \delta) = \
beta
\]
Symbol Warning
Never copy/paste rendered math symbols like the ones shown above
directly into LaTeX. Instead use the appropriate command – it is not only
easier but right!
Multiplication, Division, and Fraction Style
Opera Display LaTeX Rationale
tion Markd
own
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licatio or \(4\ s
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Plain Text & LaTeX Typeface
Mathematical functions
When writing any mathematical function like cos(x) or sqrt(x) or ln(x) they
require ‘\’ to be rendered correctly.
If you want to write plain text inside math mode then use \text{} or \
textrm{}.
Allo Display LaTe Ratio
wed? X nale
Mark
down
\( \ Corre
sqrt{x ct
^2-1} usage
\) with
Good \( \ ‘\’
cos(\
pi) \)
\(\ln e
= 1\)
\ The ‘\’
( cos(\ is
pi) \) missi
\(ln e ng
= 1\) causi
ng
Bad the
math
to not
rende
r
correc
tly
\( \ Prope
cos(x) r use
}\ of \
textr textr
m{ an m{}
Good d }\ to
sin(x)\ rende
) are r text
trig in
functi math
ons. mode
\( \ Impro
cos(x) per,
} and\ as
sin(x)\ ‘and’
) are was
Bad trig incorr
functi ectly
ons. interp
reted
as
math
Lists
Lists should be in Markdown format.
Bulleted Lists
Do NOT use \begin{itemize} \end{itemize} or latex syntax
for lists.
If each item is a full sentence, punctuate accordingly, i.e, start
with a capital letter and with a period
If each item is a phrase or sentence fragment,
capitalization of items is optional (but needs to be
consistent),
it should not have end-of-sentence punctuation.
Numbered Lists
Numbered list items should always be complete sentences.
Units
Default
Always use metric and SI values unless the prompt specifically
requests imperial units.
Formatting
Plaintext
Units must be rendered in plaintext a space between the value
and the unit
Ex:
\(m =\mathrm{5\, kg}\)
\(m = 5\text{ kg}\)
(NOT \(m = 5 kg\))
Spacing
Units should be separated from the numerical value using thin
spaces (\,) in \mathrm{} or a space within \text{}
Ex: \(W =\mathrm{2\, J}\)
Ex: \(W = 2\,\text{J}\)
Ex: \(W = 2 \text{ J}\)
In display mode only, there should be a thin space between
the unit and the end-of-sentence punctuation.
There should be no spaces before degrees (°), angular
minutes (‘), or angular seconds (“).
Capitalization
Only the abbreviations of units should be capitalized.
Ex: newtons (N), pascals (Pa), coulombs (C)
(NOT Newtons, Pascals, Coulombs)
No periods for units except with "in."
Inches can also be denoted with " instead.
Multiplication of Units
Use \cdot, recommended to do so within the \mathrm{}
command
Ex: \(2\mathrm{\,kg \cdot m}\)
Division of Units
Use / for the division of units within the command.
Ex: \(2\mathrm{\,m/s}\)
Ex: \(2\text{ m/s}\)
Exponents
Exponents can be rendered within \mathrm{} or outside of \
text{}
Ex: \(2\mathrm{\,m/s^2}\)
EX: \(2\,\text{ m/s}^2\)
Negative exponents can also be used to show the division of
units.
Final Answers
Rounding
Do not round until the final answer. Do not approximate
known values like e or pi unless specified in the prompt, or
required for the problem context.
Answers can be rounded to two decimal places as a default
unless otherwise specified by the prompt.
Format
Do not use \boxed{} for final answers.
