How to type a capital 'E' in Mathematica 9 using 'ToExpression' and 'TeXForm'? [duplicate]

Question

I am trying to use Mathematica's ToExpression[] combined with TexForm to type the Einstein's famous result: E = mc^2. Now this is dead easy in LaTeX, the code is:

E = m c^2

and it should generate something like:

However, when I try to generate this in Mathematica using the following syntax:

ToExpression["E = m c^2 ", TeXForm]

Irritatingly:

1. 'E' is converted to the bold-faced natural exponential;
2. The order of the variables is changed in the output.

Does anyone know how to fix these two problems?

Answer 1

The variable name E isn't available in Mathematica because it's a built-in symbol, but you can define a new name for the energy and use Format to make it display as E. The compromise is that you then have to enter the $\LaTeX$ code using the new name - here I call it energy:

Format[energy, StandardForm] := "E"

ToExpression["energy = m c^2", TeXForm, HoldForm]

$\text{E} = \text{m} \text{c}^2$

Edit: In the $\LaTeX$ code, you can enter energy without wrapping it in \\text{} because Mathematica interpets it as a single word by default. I initially put in a wrapper \\text{energy} because that's how one defines a multi-letter word in $\LaTeX$ equations. This is a confusing discrepancy between $\LaTeX$ and Mathematica that works to our advantage here because it allows lazier $\LaTeX$ input.

If your ultimate goal is to display the formulas as TraditionalForm (e.g., as labels in Graphics), then change the last argument in Format from StandardForm to TraditionalForm.

Answer 2

The reason of your troubles is the fact that E is not available as a variable in Mathematica but is assigned for the exp(1). A similar problem occurs when trying to use D (differential operator), I (imaginary unit), N (numerical evaluation), Pi (famous constant) as variables. This can often be frustrating, especially when using Mathematica for basic physics. Others here may have suggestions as how to accomodate this design decision. Here are my 2 cents.

Your call:

ToExpression[" stuff ", TeXForm]

is used to produce a Mathematica expression from a TeX expression. E is automatically converted to the e constant (although E is a Mathematica convention, not a TeX one) and displayed accordingly.

ToExpression["Energy = m c^2", TeXForm]

should work as expected, but I do not know an efficient way to have a variable which looks correctly like a capital E without resorting to special characters. And in this case there is no much point to using ToExpression to convert it from TeXForm.

You can enter a special E, usable as a variable if you type ( is the Escape key at the upper left of your keyboard):

<esc>E<esc> == m c^2

for instance (after typing the second esc, you will see a capital E, slightly less bold than the normal font) or

<esc>E<esc> = 10

to assign an immediate value.

Then each time you will enter E in an equation it will be treated as a variable or as its value if you give it one.

TraditionalForm["<esc>E<esc>"]

works as expected.

Answer 3

I assume what "ToExpression" does is, replacing characters of a string with their Mathematica interpretation. Why don't you just try: TeXForm["E = m !(*SuperscriptBox[(c), (2)])"]