Using LaTeX for Summations, Integrals, and Math Functions in Confluence

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We’re continuing our practical LaTeX series for Confluence users, which was brought to you by the team behind LaTeX Math for Confluence (Cloud). This post covers how to format sums, integrals, and common math functions.

Summation with LaTeX in Confluence

The \sum command is used for writing summations. Here's how you write common summation patterns:

\sum_{i=1}^{n} i                     → basic sum from 1 to n
\sum_{m=1}^{M} \sum_{n=1}^{N} a_{mn} → double summation
\sum_{j=1}^{n} j^2                   → sum of squares
\sum_{i=1}^{n} \log(i)               → summation of logarithms 

💡 Tip: Use the \displaystyle command inside inline formulas if you'd like larger, block-style formatting (e.g., for summations, or integrals).

\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{1}{i}

How to write integrals in Confluence with LaTeX

LaTeX lets you cleanly add definite, indefinite, and multiple integrals to Confluence pages. Here's a breakdown:

\int x\, dx	                     → indefinite integral
\int_{a}^{b} x^2 \,dx	             → definite integral from a to b
\int_a^b \sin x\, dx	             → definite sine integral
\iint_{D} f(x, y)\, dx\, dy	     → double integral 
\iiint_{\Omega} xyz\, dx\, dy\, dz   → triple integral 
\oint_{\gamma} f(z)\, dz	     → contour integral

💡 Tip: Add spacing using \, between the function and dx to make your formulas easy to follow.

Math Functions in Confluence with LaTeX

LaTeX has built-in commands for standard math functions:

\sin, \cos, \tan, \log, \ln, \exp

These are automatically formatted in upright text with appropriate spacing.

Here are some examples of LaTeX commands with math functions:

\sin x	                             → sine function
\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1.   → pythagorean identity
\log x	                             → general logarithm
\ln(x + 1)	                     → natural log of a sum
\log_\alpha x	                     → logarithm with base α

In this part of our LaTeX in Confluence series, we covered how to structure summations, integrals, and standard math functions using LaTeX syntax. If you're using Confluence Cloud, tools like LaTeX Math for Confluence (Cloud) will ensure your formulas look professional across your documentation.

Next time, we’ll explore adding text annotations inside LaTeX formulas in Confluence. Stay tuned!