MathJax Issue Troubleshooting | Generated by AI

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It seems that your MathJax configuration is not working as expected. Let’s identify and fix the issue based on your provided code.

Your Current Configuration

You have the following MathJax setup:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ["\\(","\\)"] ],
      displayMath: [ ['$$','$$'], ["\[","\]"] ],
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "HTML-CSS": { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    "CommonHTML": {
      linebreaks: { automatic: true },
      scale: 85
    },
    TeX: { equationNumbers: { autoNumber: "AMS" } }
  });
</script>

<script type="text/javascript" async
  src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.7/MathJax.js?config=TeX-MML-AM_CHTML">
</script>

This configuration aims to:

However, you’ve reported that it’s “not working,” which could mean the math isn’t rendering, or specific features (like line breaking) aren’t functioning as expected.

The Problem

The primary issue lies in the displayMath delimiters configuration:

displayMath: [ ['$$','$$'], ["\[","\]"] ]

In JavaScript, the string "[" is interpreted literally as [, because \[ is not a special escape sequence—it’s just a backslash followed by a bracket. Similarly, "\]" becomes ]. As a result, MathJax is configured to recognize [ ... ] as display math delimiters, not \[ ... \]. Since your math expressions (like the sample \[ \text{Bit rate} = 2400 \, \text{baud} \times 3 \, \text{bits/symbol} = 7200 \, \text{bits per second (bps)} \]) use \[ ... \], MathJax won’t recognize them as display math with the current setup.

The inline math delimiters ["\\(","\\)"] are correct, as \\( and \\) in a JavaScript string represent \( and \)—the standard LaTeX delimiters for inline math. However, the display math delimiters need adjustment.

The Solution

To fix this, update the displayMath configuration so that MathJax correctly recognizes \[ ... \] as display math delimiters. In JavaScript, to represent the string \[, you need to write "\\[", because each backslash must be escaped. Similarly, \] becomes "\\]". Here’s the corrected configuration:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ["\\(","\\)"] ],
      displayMath: [ ["$$","$$"], ["\\[","\\]"] ],
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "HTML-CSS": { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    "CommonHTML": {
      linebreaks: { automatic: true },
      scale: 85
    },
    TeX: { equationNumbers: { autoNumber: "AMS" } }
  });
</script>

<script type="text/javascript" async
  src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.7/MathJax.js?config=TeX-MML-AM_CHTML">
</script>

Key Change

Additional Considerations

  1. Line Breaking Issues: You mentioned that some expressions are too long and overflow, especially on mobile views. The linebreaks: { automatic: true } setting in the “CommonHTML” output processor should handle this, but it requires the math to be inside a container with a defined width (e.g., width: 100%). Ensure your HTML structure includes something like:

    <div style="width: 100%; overflow-x: auto;">
  \[ \text{Bit rate} = 2400 \, \text{baud} \times 3 \, \text{bits/symbol} = 7200 \, \text{bits per second (bps)} \]
</div>

    This allows MathJax to break lines based on the container’s width, adapting to screen size.

  2. Output Processor: Your script loads TeX-MML-AM_CHTML, which uses the CommonHTML output by default. The "CommonHTML" settings (e.g., scale: 85, linebreaks: { automatic: true }) will apply, but the "HTML-CSS" settings may not, as that output processor isn’t active. Since CommonHTML is modern and widely supported, this is fine—just ensure your settings align with it.

  3. Testing: After updating the configuration, test with your sample expression:

    \[ \text{Bit rate} = 2400 \, \text{baud} \times 3 \, \text{bits/symbol} = 7200 \, \text{bits per second (bps)} \]

    It should now render correctly as display math with proper line breaking if needed.

  4. Browser Compatibility: MathJax 2.7.7 should work in most modern browsers. If issues persist, ensure there are no JavaScript errors in the console or conflicting CSS rules (e.g., white-space: nowrap) overriding the math rendering.

Final Corrected Code

Here’s the complete, corrected setup:

<!-- MathJax Configuration -->
<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ["\\(","\\)"] ],
      displayMath: [ ["$$","$$"], ["\\[","\\]"] ],
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "CommonHTML": {
      linebreaks: { automatic: true },
      scale: 85
    },
    TeX: { equationNumbers: { autoNumber: "AMS" } }
  });
</script>

<!-- Load MathJax -->
<script type="text/javascript" async
  src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.7/MathJax.js?config=TeX-MML-AM_CHTML">
</script>

<!-- Example Math -->
<div style="width: 100%; overflow-x: auto;">
  \[ \text{Bit rate} = 2400 \, \text{baud} \times 3 \, \text{bits/symbol} = 7200 \, \text{bits per second (bps)} \]
</div>

Why This Works

Update your code with this fix, and your MathJax setup should work as intended! If problems persist, please share specific examples of math expressions that fail or any error messages you encounter.

To configure MathJax to render the mathematical expressions in the provided content well, you need to ensure it correctly handles inline math expressions like ( T_p ) and ( 2 \times T_p ), which are enclosed in LaTeX-style delimiters. The content uses \( ... \) for inline math, and while it doesn’t include display math (e.g., equations on separate lines), it’s good practice to configure MathJax for both inline and display math for flexibility. Below is a step-by-step guide to achieve this.

Step 1: Include MathJax in Your HTML

First, you need to load the MathJax library. You can use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to include it in your HTML file. Add the following script tag to your HTML <head> or before the content that contains math:

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.9/MathJax.js?config=TeX-AMS_CHTML"></script>

This loads MathJax version 2.7.9 with the TeX-AMS_CHTML configuration, which supports LaTeX input and renders math as HTML with CSS, suitable for most web applications.

Step 2: Configure MathJax Delimiters

MathJax needs to know which delimiters to recognize for math expressions. The content uses \( ... \) for inline math, which is a standard LaTeX delimiter. To ensure MathJax processes these correctly, add a configuration script before the MathJax library script. Here’s a basic configuration:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ['\\(', '\\)'] ],
      displayMath: [ ['$$', '$$'], ['\\[', '\\]'] ],
      processEscapes: true
    }
  });
</script>

Step 3: Enhance Rendering for Responsiveness

To make the rendered math adaptable to different screen sizes (e.g., preventing overflow on mobile devices), enable automatic line breaking for long expressions. Update the configuration like this:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ['\\(', '\\)'] ],
      displayMath: [ ['$$', '$$'], ['\\[', '\\]'] ],
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "HTML-CSS": { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    CommonHTML: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    SVG: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } }
  });
</script>

Step 4: Combine Everything

Here’s the complete setup to include in your HTML file before the content:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ['\\(', '\\)'] ],
      displayMath: [ ['$$', '$$'], ['\\[', '\\]'] ],
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "HTML-CSS": { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    CommonHTML: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    SVG: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } }
  });
</script>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.9/MathJax.js?config=TeX-AMS_CHTML"></script>

Step 5: Verify the Content Renders Correctly

With this configuration, the inline math in your content—such as ( T_p ) and ( 2 \times T_p )—will render as properly formatted mathematical expressions. For example:

Additional Notes

This setup ensures MathJax renders the mathematical expressions in your CSMA/CD explanation clearly and professionally, enhancing readability for users.

To fix the MathJax rendering issues with parentheses \(...\) and other LaTeX delimiters, adjust your configuration to properly escape the backslashes in JavaScript strings. Here’s the corrected setup:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ['\\(','\\)'] ],  // Correctly escaped for JavaScript
      displayMath: [ ['$$','$$'], ['\\[','\\]'] ],  // Fixed escaping for \[ and \]
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "HTML-CSS": { linebreaks: { automatic: true } },
    "CommonHTML": {
      linebreaks: { automatic: true },
      scale: 85
    },
    TeX: { equationNumbers: { autoNumber: "AMS" } }
  });
</script>

<script type="text/javascript" async
  src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.7/MathJax.js?config=TeX-MML-AM_CHTML">
</script>

Key Fixes:

  1. Escaped Backslashes:
    • Changed ["\\(","\\)"] to ['\\(','\\)'] (single quotes avoid extra escaping).
    • Fixed ["\[","\]"] to ['\\[','\\]'] to ensure \[...\] works for displayed equations.
  2. Recommendations:
    • Use '$$...$$' or \\[...\\] for displayed equations.
    • Use \\(...\\) for inline equations.
    • Ensure there are no conflicting Markdown processors altering your LaTeX.

Example Usage:

<p>Inline math: \( E = mc^2 \).</p>

<p>Display math:</p>
\[
  \int_{-\infty}^\infty e^{-x^2} dx = \sqrt{\pi}
\]

This configuration ensures MathJax correctly parses all LaTeX delimiters.

I understand that you’re using Jekyll with Kramdown to render Markdown posts and want to configure MathJax to properly display mathematical expressions. You’ve provided a MathJax configuration and noted that you’re rendering math within Markdown posts, not HTML tags. Let’s ensure MathJax works seamlessly with your setup.

Your Current Setup

You’re using:

You’ve also included a marked.min.js script, though it’s likely not relevant since Jekyll renders Markdown server-side with Kramdown, not client-side.

Why Rendering Might Not Work

Kramdown and MathJax need to align on how math delimiters are handled. Your MathJax setup recognizes \( ... \) for inline math and both $$ ... $$ and \[ ... \] for display math. However, Kramdown’s default behavior might not pass all these delimiters to MathJax correctly unless configured properly, especially if escaping issues arise in Markdown.

Solution: Configuring MathJax with Kramdown

Here’s how to make it work:

1. Configure Kramdown in Jekyll

Ensure your Jekyll _config.yml file enables MathJax as the math engine for Kramdown. Add or verify the following:

markdown: kramdown
kramdown:
  math_engine: mathjax

This tells Kramdown to process math expressions and pass them to MathJax. By default, Kramdown recognizes:

While your MathJax config also supports \[ ... \] for display math, Kramdown doesn’t natively use this delimiter, which could cause issues unless handled correctly.

2. Use Consistent Math Delimiters in Markdown

To avoid confusion or escaping problems, stick to Kramdown’s default delimiters in your Markdown posts:

If you prefer \[ ... \], you can use it, but Markdown’s backslash escaping might require extra care (e.g., \\[ ... \\]). However, $$ ... $$ is simpler and aligns with Kramdown’s defaults, reducing potential errors.

3. Simplify Your MathJax Configuration

Since Kramdown preprocesses the math, your MathJax config can focus on rendering. Here’s a streamlined version based on your setup:

<script type="text/x-mathjax-config">
  MathJax.Hub.Config({
    tex2jax: {
      inlineMath: [ ['\\(','\\)'] ],
      displayMath: [ ['$$','$$'] ], // Stick to $$ for simplicity
      processEscapes: true
    },
    "CommonHTML": {
      linebreaks: { automatic: true },
      scale: 85
    },
    TeX: { equationNumbers: { autoNumber: "AMS" } }
  });
</script>

<script type="text/javascript" async
  src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.7/MathJax.js?config=TeX-MML-AM_CHTML">
</script>

Place this in your Jekyll layout’s <head> section.

4. Remove Unnecessary Scripts

You’ve included <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/marked/marked.min.js"></script>, but Jekyll uses Kramdown server-side, so Marked.js (a client-side parser) isn’t needed unless you’re doing something specific with it. If not, remove it to avoid potential conflicts or confusion.

5. Test Your Setup

Add these examples to a Markdown post to confirm rendering works:

Run jekyll serve, open the site in your browser, and check if the math renders correctly. If not, inspect the browser console for MathJax errors.

Final Notes

This setup should render your math expressions beautifully in Jekyll Markdown posts! Let me know if you run into specific issues with examples you’re trying to render.

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