TeXipedia

mathbf

Produces bold-faced mathematical text and symbols while maintaining proper mathematical spacing and formatting.

Overview

Essential for mathematical typesetting where visual emphasis of vectors, matrices, or important mathematical quantities is needed.

  • Commonly used in linear algebra to denote vectors and matrices
  • Preserves mathematical spacing and alignment unlike regular bold text
  • Particularly useful in physics and engineering for vector quantities
  • Works with both Latin and Greek characters, as well as numbers
  • Distinguished from \textbf as it's specifically designed for mathematical contexts

Examples

Defining a vector quantity in physics equations.

F⃗=ma\vec{F} = m\mathbf{a} 
\vec{F} = m\mathbf{a}

Representing a matrix in linear algebra.

A=(a11a12a21a22)\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} \\ a_{21} & a_{22} \end{pmatrix} 
\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} \\ a_{21} & a_{22} \end{pmatrix}

Denoting a bold variable in statistical notation.

X=(X1,X2,…,Xn)\mathbf{X} = (X_1, X_2, \ldots, X_n) 
\mathbf{X} = (X_1, X_2, \ldots, X_n)