How to render Latex markup using Python?

Question

How to show an easy latex-formula in python? Maybe numpy is the right choice?

I have python code like:

a = '\frac{a}{b}'

and want to print this in a graphical output (like matplotlib).

What do you mean 'show latex formula in python'. Do you want to extract a formula from a .tex file and print it to python's stdout, implement a formula shown in a a .tex (pdf/ps) file in python or what? — Matti Lyra, Oct 26 '10 at 21:46
Can you clarify? Where do you want to print it? Do you want to generate images or are you looking for something inside a gui? — Wolph, Oct 26 '10 at 21:47
See the docs on the matplotlib site: - [Text rendering With LaTeX](http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net/users/usetex.html) — ars, Oct 26 '10 at 22:07
Possible duplicate of [How to programmatically generate markdown output in Jupyter notebooks?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/36288670/how-to-programmatically-generate-markdown-output-in-jupyter-notebooks) — Paul Wintz, Nov 28 '18 at 20:21
This question has a much easier-to-use answer here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/36313217/6651650 — Paul Wintz, Nov 28 '18 at 20:22

score 21 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 11 '15 at 13:19

21

As suggested by Andrew little work around using matplotlib.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
a = '\\frac{a}{b}'  #notice escaped slash
plt.plot()
plt.text(0.5, 0.5,'$%s$'%a)
plt.show()

edited Mar 11 '15 at 13:19

ostrokach

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answered Oct 26 '10 at 22:10

Bernardo Kyotoku

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Can someone explain line 3 to me? Is the semi-colon just a typo? – AnnanFay Dec 12 '14 at 17:13
@Annan The semicolon is just separates two lines. You may just as well put `plt.text(0.5,0.5,'$%s$'%a)` on a new line. – ostrokach Mar 11 '15 at 12:32

score 19 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 08 '20 at 04:57

19

An answer based on this one specific to Jupyter notebook, using f-string to format an $x_i$ variable:

from IPython.display import display, Latex
for i in range(3):
    display(Latex(f'$x_{i}$'))

Note: The f-string (formatted string literal) uses curly braces to insert the value of the Python variable i. You’ll need to double the curly braces (f'{{}}') to actually use {} in the LaTeX code. Otherwise, you can use single curly braces directly in a normal Python string (not an f-string).

Side Note: I'm surprised Stack Overflow still doesn’t have a math markup.

edited Oct 08 '20 at 04:57

ib.

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answered May 04 '20 at 02:49

Paul Rougieux

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In my opinion, this should be the answer. Clear and concise – Ravi Jun 20 '20 at 01:35
On my end it shows "". Is that a bug or am I missing to enable something. (I'm on MacOS) – Shaheer ziya May 24 '22 at 04:15
2

@Shaheerziya maybe because you are not inside a jupyter notebook or lab? Are you executing the code at a python prompt or inside a notebook? – Paul Rougieux May 24 '22 at 14:40

score 8 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 21 '19 at 08:28

Creating mathematical formulas in Pandas.

a = r'\frac{a}{b}'
ax = plt.axes([0,0,0.3,0.3]) #left,bottom,width,height
ax.set_xticks([])
ax.set_yticks([])
ax.axis('off')
plt.text(0.4,0.4,'$%s$' %a,size=50,color="green")

a = r'f(x) = \frac{\exp(-x^2/2)}{\sqrt{2*\pi}}'
ax = plt.axes([0,0,0.3,0.3]) #left,bottom,width,height
ax.set_xticks([])
ax.set_yticks([])
ax.axis('off')
plt.text(0.4,0.4,'$%s$' %a,size=50,color="green")

Andrew Jaffe · Answer 4 · 2010-10-26T22:57:01.837

5

Matplotlib can already do TeX, by setting text.usetex: True in ~/.matplotlib/matplotlibrc. Then, you can just use TeX in all displayed strings, e.g.,

ylabel(r"Temperature (K) [fixed $\beta=2$]")

(be sure to use the $ as in normal in-line TeX!). The r before the string means that no substitutions are made; otherwise you have to escape the slashes as mentioned.

More info at the matplotlib site.

edited Oct 26 '10 at 22:57

answered Oct 26 '10 at 22:05

Andrew Jaffe

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Is matplotlibrc in the matplotlib-folder? I cant find it :/ – kame Oct 26 '10 at 22:23
On UNIX systems, it's in the directory I mention above. On windows, I don't know. Check the Docs. – Andrew Jaffe Oct 26 '10 at 22:56
I'm using Ubuntu 12 and installed matplotlib in the system (not user), in my case its on /etc/matplotlibrc – neu-rah Feb 08 '13 at 22:18
1

Is that option really necessary? [The documentation](http://matplotlib.org/users/usetex.html) states that's if you want to use an actual LaTeX installation for advanced features, while TeX-math rendering is [natively supported](http://matplotlib.org/users/mathtext.html#mathtext-tutorial) – Tobias Kienzler Apr 09 '13 at 06:04

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered May 31 '13 at 17:35

3

Without ticks:

a = r'\frac{a}{b}'
ax = plt.axes([0,0,0.1,0.2]) #left,bottom,width,height
ax.set_xticks([])
ax.set_yticks([])
plt.text(0.3,0.4,'$%s$' %a,size=40)

answered May 31 '13 at 17:35

restrepo

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score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Oct 22 '19 at 01:56

1

Draw with matplotlib,

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
a = r'\frac{a}{b}'
ax=plt.subplot(111)
ax.text(0.5,0.5,r"$%s$" %(a),fontsize=30,color="green")
plt.show()

answered Oct 22 '19 at 01:56

LF00

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How to render Latex markup using Python?

6 Answers6

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