MathJax

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  1. MathJax in MediaWiki

MathJax is a powerful JavaScript display engine for mathematics, allowing you to render mathematical notation beautifully in web browsers. This is particularly useful in environments like MediaWiki, where native support for complex mathematical formulas is limited. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using MathJax within your MediaWiki installation, geared towards beginners. We will cover installation, configuration, syntax, troubleshooting, and best practices.

    1. Why Use MathJax?

Before diving into the "how-to," let's understand *why* you'd want to use MathJax.

  • **High-Quality Rendering:** MathJax produces professional-looking mathematical formulas, far superior to attempts to represent them using plain text or HTML entities.
  • **Accessibility:** MathJax formulas are accessible to users with disabilities, including those using screen readers. It provides semantic information that screen readers can interpret.
  • **Cross-Browser Compatibility:** MathJax works consistently across different web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) and operating systems.
  • **Multiple Input Formats:** MathJax supports several input formats, including LaTeX, MathML, AsciiMath, and more, offering flexibility for authors.
  • **Dynamic Loading:** MathJax loads formulas dynamically, meaning they are rendered in the browser after the page has loaded, improving initial page load times.
  • **Scalability:** Handles complex formulas and large documents efficiently.
    1. Installation

The installation process varies depending on your MediaWiki setup and access level. Here are the common scenarios:

      1. 1. Local Installation (Development/Testing)

If you're running MediaWiki locally for development or testing, you can directly modify the MediaWiki configuration and files.

  • **Download MathJax:** Download the latest MathJax distribution from the official MathJax website: [1](https://www.mathjax.org/download/). Choose the "MathJax-core" package, which contains the essential components.
  • **Upload to MediaWiki:** Extract the downloaded archive and upload the `MathJax` directory (containing `MathJax.js`, `config`, and other necessary files) to a suitable location within your MediaWiki installation. A common location is a directory named `extensions` or `includes/MathJax`.
  • **Configure `MediaWiki:Common.js`:** Edit the `MediaWiki:Common.js` page (accessible to administrators) and add the following code:

```javascript importScript('includes/MathJax/MathJax.js'); // Adjust the path if necessary MathJax.config = {

 tex2jax: {
   inlineMath: [['$', '$'], ['\\(', '\\)']],
   displayMath: [['$$', '$$'], ['\\[', '\\]']],
   processEscapes: true
 }

}; ```

This code imports the MathJax JavaScript file and configures it to recognize LaTeX-style delimiters for inline (`$...$`) and display (`$$...$$`) mathematics. The `processEscapes: true` option ensures that escaped characters like `\$` are rendered correctly.

      1. 2. Extension Installation (Recommended for Production)

The preferred method for installing MathJax on a production MediaWiki instance is to use an extension. This simplifies installation, upgrades, and configuration.

  • **Download the MathJax Extension:** The most popular MathJax extension is available on the MediaWiki extensions repository: [2](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:MathJax). Download the latest stable release.
  • **Upload and Extract:** Upload the downloaded archive to your MediaWiki's `extensions` directory. Extract the contents of the archive.
  • **Configure `LocalSettings.php`:** Edit your `LocalSettings.php` file (accessible to administrators) and add the following line:

```php require_once "$IP/extensions/MathJax/MathJax.php"; ```

This line tells MediaWiki to load the MathJax extension.

    1. MathJax Syntax

MathJax primarily uses LaTeX syntax for defining mathematical expressions. Here's a breakdown of the most common elements:

  • **Inline Math:** Enclose mathematical expressions within single dollar signs (`$...$`). For example: `$E=mc^2$`. This will render as $E=mc^2$.
  • **Display Math:** Enclose mathematical expressions within double dollar signs (`$$...$$`) or within `\\[ ... \\]`. For example: `$$ \int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} $$`. This will render as:
  $$ \int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} $$
  • **Basic Operators:** Use standard LaTeX operators like `+`, `-`, `*`, `/`, `^` (exponentiation), `_` (subscript), and `=` (equals).
  • **Fractions:** Use the `\frac{numerator}{denominator}` command. For example: `$\frac{1}{2}$` renders as $\frac{1}{2}$.
  • **Square Roots:** Use the `\sqrt{expression}` command. For example: `$\sqrt{x}$` renders as $\sqrt{x}$.
  • **Sums and Integrals:** Use the `\sum` and `\int` commands with appropriate limits. For example: `$\sum_{i=1}^{n} i^2$` renders as $\sum_{i=1}^{n} i^2$.
  • **Matrices:** Use the `\begin{matrix} ... \end{matrix}` environment. For example:

```latex $\begin{matrix}

 1 & 2 \\
 3 & 4

\end{matrix}$ ```

renders as:

$\begin{matrix}

 1 & 2 \\
 3 & 4

\end{matrix}$

  • **Greek Letters:** Use commands like `\alpha`, `\beta`, `\gamma`, `\pi`, `\theta`, etc. For example: `$\pi$` renders as $\pi$.
  • **Functions:** Use commands like `\sin`, `\cos`, `\tan`, `\log`, `\exp`, etc. For example: `$\sin(x)$` renders as $\sin(x)$.
    1. Advanced Configuration

The MathJax extension and the `MathJax.config` object in `MediaWiki:Common.js` allow for extensive customization:

  • **TeX Input Format:** You can specify different TeX input formats (e.g., `TeX-AMS_HTML`, `MathML`). See the MathJax documentation for available options: [4](https://docs.mathjax.org/en/latest/tex.html).
  • **Output Format:** You can choose the output format (e.g., `HTML-CSS`, `SVG`). SVG generally provides better quality but may have performance implications for very complex formulas.
  • **Delimiters:** Customize the delimiters used for inline and display math.
  • **Preprocessors:** Use preprocessors to extend MathJax's capabilities.
  • **Fonts:** Select different fonts for rendering mathematical expressions.
    1. Troubleshooting
  • **Formulas Not Rendering:**
   * **Check JavaScript Console:** Open your browser's JavaScript console (usually by pressing F12) and look for any MathJax-related errors.
   * **Verify Configuration:** Ensure that the `MathJax.config` object in `MediaWiki:Common.js` or the extension configuration is correct.
   * **Clear Cache:** Clear your browser's cache and MediaWiki's cache (purge the page).
   * **Check for Conflicts:**  Other JavaScript libraries or extensions might conflict with MathJax.  Try disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
  • **Incorrect Rendering:**
   * **LaTeX Syntax:** Double-check your LaTeX syntax for errors.  Use a LaTeX editor or online LaTeX compiler to test your expressions.
   * **Escaping:** Ensure that special characters are properly escaped if you don't want them to be interpreted as LaTeX commands.
  • **Performance Issues:**
   * **SVG Output:** If you're using SVG output and experiencing performance problems, try switching to HTML-CSS output.
   * **Complex Formulas:** Simplify complex formulas if possible.
   * **Dynamic Loading:** Ensure that MathJax is loading dynamically.
    1. Best Practices
  • **Use LaTeX Sparingly:** Don't overuse LaTeX. Use it only when necessary to represent complex mathematical notation.
  • **Clear and Concise Syntax:** Write clear and concise LaTeX code for better readability.
  • **Test Thoroughly:** Test your formulas in different browsers and devices to ensure consistent rendering.
  • **Accessibility Considerations:** Provide alternative text descriptions for complex formulas to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.
  • **Keep MathJax Updated:** Regularly update MathJax to benefit from bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
    1. Resources
    1. Related Topics

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