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writing-mathematical-expressions.md

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title intro product versions shortTitle
Writing mathematical expressions
Use Markdown to display mathematical expressions on {% data variables.product.company_short %}.
{% data reusables.gated-features.markdown-ui %}
feature
math
Mathematical expressions

About writing mathematical expressions

To enable clear communication of mathematical expressions, {% data variables.product.product_name %} supports LaTeX formatted math within Markdown. For more information, see LaTeX/Mathematics in Wikibooks.

{% data variables.product.company_short %}'s math rendering capability uses MathJax; an open source, JavaScript-based display engine. MathJax supports a wide range of LaTeX macros, and several useful accessibility extensions. For more information, see the MathJax documentation and the MathJax Accessibility Extensions Documentation.

Mathematical expressions rendering is available in {% data variables.product.prodname_github_issues %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_discussions %}, pull requests, wikis, and Markdown files.

Writing inline expressions

{% ifversion math-backtick-syntax %} There are two options for delimiting a math expression inline with your text. You can either surround the expression with dollar symbols ($), or start the expression with $` and end it with `$. The latter syntax is useful when the expression you are writing contains characters that overlap with markdown syntax. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE." {% else %} To include a math expression inline within your text, delimit the expression with dollar symbols $. {% endif %}

This sentence uses `$` delimiters to show math inline:  $\sqrt{3x-1}+(1+x)^2$

Screenshot of rendered Markdown showing how a mathematical expression displays on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}. The equation is the square root of 3 x minus 1 plus open paren 1 plus x close paren squared.

{% ifversion math-backtick-syntax %}

This sentence uses $\` and \`$ delimiters to show math inline:  $`\sqrt{3x-1}+(1+x)^2`$

Screenshot of rendered Markdown showing how a mathematical expression displays inline on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}. The equation is the square root of 3 x minus 1 plus open paren 1 plus x close paren squared. {% endif %}

Writing expressions as blocks

To add a math expression as a block, start a new line and delimit the expression with two dollar symbols $$.

**The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality**
$$\left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k b_k \right)^2 \leq \left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k^2 \right) \left( \sum_{k=1}^n b_k^2 \right)$$

Screenshot of rendered Markdown showing how a complex equation displays on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}. The bolded text reads "The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality". Below the text, there is an equation showing open paren the sum from k equals 1 to n of a sub k b sub k close paren squared is less than or equal to open paren the sum from k equals 1 to n of a sub k squared close paren times open paren the sum from k equals 1 to n of b sub k squared close paren.

{% ifversion math-fenced-blocks %}

Alternatively, you can use the ```math code block syntax to display a math expression as a block. With this syntax, you don't need to use $$ delimiters. The following will render the same as above:

**The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality**

```math
\left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k b_k \right)^2 \leq \left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k^2 \right) \left( \sum_{k=1}^n b_k^2 \right)
```

{% endif %}

Writing dollar signs in line with and within mathematical expressions

To display a dollar sign as a character in the same line as a mathematical expression, you need to escape the non-delimiter $ to ensure the line renders correctly.

  • Within a math expression, add a \ symbol before the explicit $.

    This expression uses `\$` to display a dollar sign: $`\sqrt{\$4}`$

    Screenshot of rendered Markdown showing how a backslash before a dollar sign displays the sign as part of a mathematical expression.

  • Outside a math expression, but on the same line, use span tags around the explicit $.

    To split <span>$</span>100 in half, we calculate $100/2$

    Screenshot of rendered Markdown showing how span tags around a dollar sign display the sign as inline text rather than part of a mathematical equation.

Further reading