What is Latex: Definition and 999 Discussions

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.
Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms). It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid." It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.
The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.
Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

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  1. T

    LaTeX Write the permutation and combination formulas using latex

    How do you write the permutation and combination formulas using latex. This is the best I can do: n_P_r=\frac{n!}{(n-r)!}
  2. P

    LaTeX Instructions on how to use Latex

    Are there instructions on how to use Latex on this site anywhere please? I can't find any...
  3. I

    LaTeX Math Latex Test: 22.26% Calculation Result

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  4. qspeechc

    LaTeX Adding Images to LaTeX: A Quick Guide

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  5. I

    LaTeX Simple Latex Fraction Calculation: 0.054

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  6. I

    LaTeX Anyway to download Latex onto my computer for personal use?

    topic
  7. T

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Errors: Why Do Certain Latex Commands Always Have Errors?

    how come whenever I use latex...for some reason two of the latex have errors but the others always work when I preview...if I try deleting those two which have errors than some other two latex have errors then...why?any way to around the problem?
  8. D

    LaTeX Troubleshooting LaTeX Code: \frac{1}{q_{2}} = \frac{A q_{1} + B}{C q_{1} + D}

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  9. H

    LaTeX How do I write a system of equations with dots in latex?

    Hi Folks, I want to write a system of equations in latex. The equations is something similar as follows, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2466547973_636ea6137f_o.jpg Generally, its ok to write system of equations in latex. But i don't have any idea how can I place the dots like what you...
  10. Mapes

    LaTeX How do I remove the space before Depth... in my LaTex table?

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  11. N

    LaTeX How to Use Latex in Word (2007): A Faster Way to Type Formulas

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  12. F

    LaTeX How to Create a Tridiagonal Matrix with Lambda Values in Latex?

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  13. E

    LaTeX Solving Latex Bibliography Issues

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  14. K

    LaTeX How I can use a vertical bar to represent evaluation in LaTeX

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  15. E

    LaTeX Spell check when writing in latex using the texnic center?

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  16. E

    LaTeX Latex Execution on this Site: No Bold Fonts?

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  17. F

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Image Display Issues in LaTeX

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  18. V

    LaTeX Learn How to Use Bra-ket Notation in LaTeX for Quantum Mechanics

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  19. N

    LaTeX Latex Bibliography Without Title

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  20. E

    LaTeX How to Create an Inexact Differential in Latex?

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  21. N

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  22. S

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  23. qspeechc

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  24. H

    LaTeX Why Does LaTeX Parser Not Always Generate an Error?

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  25. J

    LaTeX Welcome to the Forum Latex Symbols Demystified

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  26. N

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  27. A

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  28. C

    LaTeX ΣquPlus Library of LaTeX and MathML Snippets

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  29. S

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  30. E

    LaTeX How do you get a cube, fourth, fifth root in latex?

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  31. D

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  32. W

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  33. M

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  34. H

    LaTeX Writing IEEE Papers in LaTeX: Files & Syntax

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  35. K

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  36. Saladsamurai

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  37. M

    LaTeX Free LaTeX Packages for Writing in Microsoft Word

    Hey, Is there a way of using this program or a similar one to write in microsoft word, or is it only available online? I'm just interested as I have heard people taking notes on their laptops using it. Thank you.
  38. R

    LaTeX Adding Images to LaTeX from PDF Sources

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  39. K

    LaTeX How can I put multiple line equations inside a box in Latex?

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  40. A

    LaTeX Making LaTeX Characters Bigger: Possible?

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  41. P

    LaTeX Latex Reference for New Users: Integral Help

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  42. malawi_glenn

    LaTeX Big vert in LaTeX: Analyzing Angular Distribution

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  43. Saladsamurai

    LaTeX Free programs that use Latex that I could insert in a ms word doc and attach

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  44. C

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  45. J

    LaTeX Is there a Windows equivalent of Grapher for exporting LaTeX equations?

    Hello. I use LaTeX a lot for homework and stuff like that. I also use it to email questions and stuff like that to proffessors. Anyway, i am pretty proficient at it and its syntax but sometimes it gets hard to make equations. On my mac, i often use Grapher (a surprisingly powerful built in...
  46. N

    LaTeX Convert latex code to fortran code?

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  47. J

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  48. JasonRox

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  49. X

    LaTeX Effortlessly Post Math Formulas with a LaTeX Parser/Converter on Your Website

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  50. ranger

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