Pasting $\LaTeX$ into a Mathematica notebook

Question

I have read that $\LaTeX$ source can be directly pasted into a Mathematica notebook. However, I have been unsuccessful in this regard. An example of the errors received are:

$\frac{1}{2}$
Syntax::sntxb: Expression cannot begin with "$ frac{1}{2}$".
Syntax::tsntxi: "$ frac" is incomplete; more input is needed.
Syntax::sntxi: Incomplete expression; more input is needed .

This is not remediated by removal of the $ signs, placement of two $ signs ($$), or use of other $\LaTeX$ math mode delimiters (e.g., \[ \], \begin{displaymath}\end{displaymath}, \begin{equation}\end{equation}, etc). I do not wish to import an entire .tex file as I merely want to pass a few select equations. Please advise as to my error. Thank you.

Edit: I am using Mathematica 8.0.1.0.

Answer 1

I'm prompted by Mathematica when pasting (using 8.0.4) so I don't have this issue. The following seems to do the trick though..

ToExpression["\\frac{1}{2}", TeXForm]

I would expect others might have more illuminating responses to this.

EDIT:

The prompt I referred to is controlled via GlobalOptions > MessageOptions > TeXPasteWarning in the Options Inspector which can be found under Edit > Preferences > Advanced. If this is set to False you won't get prompted as to how you would like to paste the input.

Answer 2

I find pasting $\frac{1}{2}$ works but pasting \frac{1}{2} does not. So the dollar signs seems necessary, although I realize that doesn't fix your problem it may be a useful hint to other users.