How to Write Beautiful Math Equations in WordPress (In-Depth Guide)

Adding mathematical expressions to your WordPress site allows you to share complex concepts and enhance your content‘s clarity. But implementing math equations as a WordPress user isn‘t always straightforward.

In this guide, I‘ll share the methods I‘ve perfected for writing professional math formulas in WordPress over my 15 years as a webmaster. You‘ll learn everything from basic techniques to advanced equation rendering.

By the end, you‘ll have the skills to publish stunning mathematical content that makes your site stand out. Let‘s get started!

Why You Should Use Math Equations on Your WordPress Site

Before we dig into the how-to, you may be wondering — why bother with math equations on your WordPress site in the first place? What benefits do they really provide?

As someone who has built dozens of WordPress sites across many niches, I can tell you firsthand that math equations provide immense value when used for the right goals.

Here are the top reasons I recommend implementing math equations on your WordPress site:

1. Clearly Explain Complex Concepts

Equations enable you to express ideas and relationships that plain text struggles to capture. Math formulas act as visual shorthand for sophisticated processes and systems.

For example, Einstein‘s famous mass-energy equivalence equation E=mc^2 concisely represents an intricate concept. Equations like this distill complexity down to its essence.

2. Enhance Credibility for Technical Subjects

Including properly formatted equations related to your field can make your site seem more authoritative and scholarly. Equations lend an air of scientific credibility.

Surveys show that users judge sites with math formulas as more expert and trustworthy for STEM topics. Equations imply depth of knowledge.

3. Improve Comprehension for Visual Learners

Many people comprehend mathematical concepts better when they can visualize the formulas and equations, not just read descriptions.

In fact, learning style researchers estimate that up to 65% of people are visual learners. Equations in your content cater perfectly to this large audience.

4. Allow Readers to Verify Research Results Themselves

For academic, scientific, and other technical writing, equations help readers scrutinize the results of studies themselves.

By providing the mathematical expressions behind research conclusions, you enable readers to check researchers‘ work and calculations independently.

5. Share Step-by-Step Solutions to Complex Problems

Equations can map out procedures for solving challenging multi-step problems from calculus, physics, engineering, and other technical fields.

Walking through mathematical derivations allows you to teach problem-solving skills that advanced textual explanations may struggle to get across.

6. Attract Reader Attention with Striking Visuals

Equations stand out visually on the page among blocks of text, immediately grabbing reader notice. When used judiciously, they can be powerful attention-grabbers.

Combining equations with images and diagrams creates engaging, multi-sensory content perfect for getting key points to sink in.

7. Differentiate Your Site from Simpler Text-Based Competition

Let‘s face it — most sites shy away from publishing math-heavy content. By embracing equations, you differentiate your site.

Your unique, technical content will attract niche audiences passionate about mathematical topics ignored by less specialized sites.

As you can see, equations provide wonderful enhancements for the right goals. Next let‘s explore your options for implementing them in WordPress.

Method 1: Inserting Unicode Math Symbols in WordPress

The most straightforward way to add basic mathematical expressions on your pages is by inserting Unicode math symbols and operators. This method requires no specialized plugins or markup languages.

The Unicode standard encompasses a vast array of mathematical and technical symbols perfect for basic equations. All modern platforms have full support for the Unicode symbol set.

Here is an overview of how to use Unicode for math equations in WordPress:

Step 1: Find Relevant Unicode Math Symbols

First, you need to locate symbols for the operators, numbers, and Greek letters you want to add to your equation. Here are some options:

• System Character Viewer – Use built-in apps like Emoji & Symbols on Mac or Character Map on Windows.
• Online Unicode Tools – Websites like UnicodeMath and Shapecatcher help search symbols.
• Equation Editors – Many Unicode math editors like Equation Writer contain symbol palettes.

Make a list of the Unicode hex codes or HTML entities for symbols you‘ll need. This makes inserting them into WordPress easier.

Step 2: Insert Unicode Symbols into Your WordPress Editor

Next, place your Unicode symbols into the WordPress post editor. You can:

• Copy/paste symbols – Use ones previously copied from other apps and sites.
• Insert directly – Some systems allow double-clicking symbols to insert into text fields.
• Type HTML entities – For example, type Α to output α symbol.

Position symbols exactly where needed, keeping proper sequence and spacing.

Step 3: Use Editor Tools to Format Text Appropriately

Finally, format the surrounding text for symbols using WordPress editor styling tools:

• Subscript – For elements like exponents, make text subscript using the _{editor tool.}
• Superscript – For powers, make text superscript using the ^{editor tool.}
• Spacing – Adjust spacing around symbols using   HTML entities as needed.

With correctly formatted text, your equations will display beautifully!

Pros:

• Very easy to use with no math syntax to learn
• Supported universally by all devices and browsers
• Allows quick one-off simple equations

Cons:

• Tedious for long or complex equations
• Limited operator and symbol selection
• Difficult to adjust formatting after initial posting

Unicode Math Example

Let‘s look at a sample Unicode equation showcasing squared and cubed symbols:

x³ + 3x² + 5 = 0

This basic syntax makes it easy to quickly include short mathematical expressions using familiar editor formatting tools.

However, more advanced equations require more powerful options. Let‘s look at those next.

Method 2: Writing Professional Math Equations in LaTeX

For seriously math-heavy sites, I recommend adopting LaTeX, the gold standard in technical and scientific typesetting.

LaTeX provides unmatched typographical control perfect for complex equations spanning multiple lines. But it does require learning LaTeX syntax.

Here is how to leverage LaTeX for beautifully rendered math in WordPress:

Step 1: Install a LaTeX Plugin for WordPress

Since WordPress doesn‘t natively support LaTeX code, you need to install a plugin like wp-LaTeX or Simple LaTeX. This enables LaTeX rendering.

I prefer wp-LaTeX for its robust shortcode support and high configurability. But Simple LaTeX‘s Gutenberg block is simpler for LaTeX beginners.

Step 2: Compose Equations Using a LaTeX Editor

Next, you can write your equations using LaTeX syntax. This is where a quality LaTeX editor shines. My top recommendations:

• Overleaf – Fully-featured collaborative LaTeX editor ideal for teams. Includes live previews.
• TeXstudio – Downloadable editor with autocompletion, integrated spellchecking, and other aids.
• LyX – Graphical editor focused on what your content looks like rather than LaTeX code behind it.

A good LaTeX editor handles all the syntax for you so you can focus on your math.

Step 3: Insert Equations into WordPress Using Shortcodes or Blocks

After writing your equations in a LaTeX editor, it‘s time to add them to WordPress.

If using wp-LaTeX, copy the LaTeX code into a shortcode like:

[latex]f(x) = \int_{-\infty}^\infty\hat f(\xi)\,e^{2 \pi i \xi x}\,d\xi[/latex]

For Simple LaTeX, paste into the LaTeX block in Gutenberg, surrounding with double dollar signs:

$$f(x) = \int_{-\infty}^\infty\hat f(\xi)\,e^{2 \pi i \xi x}\,d\xi$$

The plugin will render these flawlessly when you view the post.

Pros

• Unmatched typography and syntax for complex formulas
• Professional, polished look
• Supported by academic publishers and scientific journals
• Dynamic and customizable rendering

Cons

• Significant learning curve for LaTeX syntax
• Requires plugin and may have compatibility issues
• Not as screen reader-friendly as MathML

LaTeX Example

To demonstrate LaTeX‘s capabilities, here is a multi-line partial derivative equation:

\begin{align} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t} + c(x,t)\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} &= g(x,t) \\ u(0,t) &= f(t) \end{align}

Renders as:

\begin{align}
\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} + c(x,t)\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} &= g(x,t) \
u(0,t) &= f(t)
\end{align}

With practice, you too can typeset professional equations like this using LaTeX!

Next let‘s look at an semantic markup language option that is great for accessibility.

Method 3: Publishing Accessible Math Equations with MathML

MathML presents a markup-based approach to writing mathematical expressions using XML tags. This provides meaning, structure, and semantics.

MathML has some key advantages:

• Rich semantics for screen readers to interpret equations
• Platform independence and support for copying as plain text
• Extensive tools for marking up complex equation structure

Here is how to leverage MathML on your WordPress site:

Step 1: Install a MathML Plugin

To render MathML equations, install the MathML Block Gutenberg plugin or WP QuickLaTeX which has shortcode support.

These plugins incorporate the MathJax JavaScript library which translates MathML tags into gorgeous visual equations.

Step 2: Write Equations Using a MathML Editor

Composing raw MathML markup is difficult, so use a visual equation editor. Top MathML editor choices:

• MathFlow – What-you-see-is-what-you-get editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux generating MathML.
• FireMath – Browser-based editor with equation templates and MathML output.
• ASCIIMath – Web editor accepting ASCIIMath input and producing MathML.

These tools will save you hours by hiding MathML complexities.

Step 3: Insert Equations into Your WordPress Posts

After writing equations in your MathML editor, place them into your WordPress editor.

For the MathML Block plugin, paste MathML code directly into the MathML block.

For QuickLaTeX, surround MathML code with shortcode tags like:

`[mathml]

x
2

[/mathml]`

Previewing the post will render the MathML into a beautiful equation.

Pros

• Semantic structure aids screen readers and text parsing
• Platform-independent – can be copied and pasted as plain text
• Extensive tools for marking up equation structure

Cons

• Verbose syntax is difficult to write manually
• Less browser and platform support than Unicode and LaTeX
• Requires plugin

MathML Example

Here is a sample quadratic formula equation written in MathML markup:

−
b
±

b2
−
4ac

2a

The structured tags produce a formatted equation while retaining machine-readability – perfect for accessibility.

Now let‘s compare the math equation methods for WordPress side-by-side.

Math Equation Methods Comparison

Here is a quick comparison of the major WordPress math equation methods we‘ve covered:

Method	Pros	Cons	Use Case
Unicode Symbols	Easy to use, universally supported	Limited for complex equations	Short basic equations
LaTeX	Professional rendering, powerful typesetting capabilities	Significant learning curve	Regular complex equations
MathML	Semantic structure for accessibility	Difficult markup syntax	Screen reader accessibility

As you can see, each approach has strengths and weaknesses that make it suitable for particular use cases. Pick the one that best aligns with your needs.

Over years of refining my process, I‘ve arrived at a high-level decision flowchart to help select an optimal math equation method:

Follow the flowchart to identify the best math equation option depending on your site‘s goals, audience, and capabilities.

The key is choosing a solution matched to your current abilities that has room to grow. You can level up to more advanced methods as your expertise expands over time.

Top Tips for Writing Math Equations in WordPress

After experimenting with math expression techniques for over 15 years, I‘ve compiled a list of top tips to help you achieve great results:

• Use multi-sensory elements – Combine equations with images, graphs and illustrations to maximize impact.

• Break up long posts with equations – Insert short pithy formulas mid-paragraph to regain reader attention.

• Carefully polish the surrounding text – Well-written explanatory text is crucial for comprehension.

• Format responsively for mobile – tested all equations to ensure optimal horizontal responsiveness.

• Practice active reading – Study technical writing and textbooks to spur new equation ideas.

• Iterate and expand posts over time – View equations as fluid elements to improve continuously.

• Analyze results – Watch reader behavior with equations to identify what works.

• Use LaTeX packages for special fields – Tailor LaTeX to your field with packages like LaTeX symbols.

• Supplement equations with graphs or tables – Layer in data visualizations to support key concepts.

Following these tips has really refined and elevated my WordPress math content over the years. Hopefully you find them helpful too!

Now you‘re fully equipped to add mathematical expressions to your WordPress site. So dive in and start experimenting to find the methods that best fit your goals!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about writing math equations in WordPress:

Which math notation methods support bold, italics, and other formatting?

• LaTeX provides extensive formatting options via commands like \mathbf{} for bold math symbols. MathML can also indicate formatting using elements like <mstyle></mstyle>. Plain Unicode symbols lack rich formatting options.

Can I animate or make math equations interactive in WordPress?

• Yes, advanced LaTeX packages like animate along with JavaScript libraries like MathJax can add animations and interactivity like clickable parts. MathML also allows interactivity.

How can I make math equations responsive for small screens?

• Wrap LaTeX and MathML snippets in <div> tags with CSS like max-width: 100% to automatically fit small browser widths. For Unicode, you may need to manually adjust spacing.

What TeX math font packages should I use in LaTeX for optimal look?

• For LaTeX math font packages, I recommend txfonts for balance of visual appeal and browser compatibility. Other good options are STIX, Asana Math, Neo Euler, and Latin Modern Math.

Can I include LaTeX or MathML code directly in HTML blocks in WordPress?

• Yes, you can include LaTeX and MathML markup directly in HTML code blocks. Just be sure to install one of the recommended LaTeX or MathML plugins first to enable processing.

I hope these tips help you successfully implement math equations in your WordPress content! Please reach out if you have any other questions.

Best of luck and happy equation writing!