KaTeX facts for kids
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| Stable release |
v0.16.22 / April 9, 2025
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|---|---|
| Written in | JavaScript |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Mathematical software |
| License | MIT License |
KaTeX is a special tool that helps computers show math equations on websites. It's a JavaScript library, which means it's a collection of code that makes web pages work better. KaTeX is designed to be super fast and easy to use when displaying math.
This tool was first created by Khan Academy, a famous online learning platform. It became very popular quickly, even ranking among the top projects on GitHub in September 2014.
What KaTeX Does
KaTeX helps display complex math symbols and equations on the internet. Imagine you're looking at a science or math website. KaTeX makes sure that all the fractions, square roots, and other math symbols look neat and clear, just like they would in a textbook.
How KaTeX Works
KaTeX uses a special language called LaTeX to create these math displays. LaTeX is a system used by scientists and mathematicians to write documents with lots of equations. KaTeX takes this LaTeX code and turns it into something your web browser can show.
Key Features of KaTeX
KaTeX has some cool features that make it a great tool for showing math online:
- Super Fast: It shows the math equations very quickly. It doesn't make the web page wait or rearrange itself, so everything loads smoothly.
- Looks Great: The math it displays looks like it's printed in a high-quality book. This is because its design is based on TeX, a professional typesetting system.
- Works Alone: KaTeX doesn't need other programs to run. It's a complete package, which makes it easy to add to any website.
- Server-Side Ready: Websites can use KaTeX to prepare the math equations even before you see them. This means the math is already perfectly formed when it reaches your screen.
While KaTeX is powerful, it uses a smaller part of the LaTeX math language compared to some other tools like MathJax. This helps it stay fast and simple.
Related Tools
- MathML: This is another way to show math on the web. It's a special language designed just for mathematical formulas.
