Mathematical expressions with LaTeX in Matplotlib - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Mathematical expressions with LaTeX

📖 Scenario: You are preparing a simple plot to show a mathematical formula using LaTeX style in matplotlib. This is useful when you want to display math clearly in your charts, like in school or reports.

🎯 Goal: Create a matplotlib plot that displays the quadratic formula using LaTeX formatting.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a variable with the LaTeX string for the quadratic formula

Set up a matplotlib figure and axis

Add the LaTeX string as a title on the plot

Display the plot

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Scientists, engineers, and students often need to show math formulas clearly in charts and reports. Using LaTeX in matplotlib helps make these formulas easy to read.

💼 Career

Data scientists and analysts use matplotlib to create clear visualizations. Knowing how to add LaTeX math expressions improves the quality of technical presentations and reports.

1

Create the LaTeX string for the quadratic formula

Create a variable called formula and assign it the LaTeX string for the quadratic formula: '$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$'

Matplotlib

# Create the LaTeX string for the quadratic formula
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use single quotes around the string and double backslashes for LaTeX commands.

2

Set up the matplotlib figure and axis

Import matplotlib.pyplot as plt. Then create a figure and axis using fig, ax = plt.subplots().

Matplotlib

formula = '$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$'
# Import matplotlib.pyplot as plt and create fig, ax
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use import matplotlib.pyplot as plt and fig, ax = plt.subplots().

3

Add the LaTeX formula as the plot title

Use ax.set_title(formula) to set the plot title to the LaTeX formula stored in formula.

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

formula = '$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$'
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
# Set the plot title to the formula
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use ax.set_title(formula) to add the title.

4

Display the plot

Use plt.show() to display the plot with the LaTeX formula title.

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

formula = '$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$'
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.set_title(formula)
# Display the plot
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Call plt.show() to open the plot window.