Understanding STIX and Fraktur Numerals

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 112 views

Using STIX and Alternative Fonts with pdflatex: A Discussion on Math Fonts and Fraktur Numerals

When working with mathematical documents, choosing the right font can be a crucial aspect of ensuring readability and accuracy. The STIX font package is a popular choice for its comprehensive coverage of mathematical symbols and its compatibility with various LaTeX compilers. However, one limitation of STIX is its lack of support for Fraktur numerals. In this article, we will explore the possibility of using STIX in conjunction with an alternative font for Fraktur numerals, specifically focusing on the use of pdflatex.

Understanding STIX and Fraktur Numerals

STIX: A Comprehensive Math Font

STIX (Scientific and Technical Information eXchange) is a font package designed specifically for typesetting mathematical and scientific documents. Developed by the Scientific and Technical Information Exchange (STIX) project, STIX aims to provide a comprehensive set of fonts that cover a wide range of mathematical symbols, including Greek letters, mathematical operators, and more. STIX is widely used in academic and scientific publishing due to its high-quality rendering and compatibility with various LaTeX compilers.

Fraktur Numerals: A Limitation of STIX

Fraktur numerals, also known as Gothic numerals, are a type of numeral that originated in the Middle Ages. They are characterized by their distinctive, cursive-like appearance. While STIX provides an extensive range of mathematical symbols, it does not support Fraktur numerals. This limitation can be a significant issue for documents that require the use of Fraktur numerals, such as those in the fields of mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Using Alternative Fonts with pdflatex

pdflatex: A LaTeX Compiler

pdflatex is a popular LaTeX compiler that produces PDF files directly from LaTeX source code. It is widely used in academic and scientific publishing due to its high-quality rendering and flexibility. pdflatex is particularly useful when working with complex documents that require the use of multiple fonts and mathematical symbols.

Alternative Fonts for Fraktur Numerals

While STIX does not support Fraktur numerals, there are alternative fonts that can be used in conjunction with pdflatex. One popular option is the TeX Gyre Pagella font, which provides a range of Fraktur numerals that can be used in place of the standard STIX numerals. Another option is the Asana Math font, which offers a comprehensive set of mathematical symbols, including Fraktur numerals.

Implementing Alternative Fonts with pdflatex

To use an alternative font with pdflatex, you will need to modify your LaTeX source code to include the necessary font packages and commands. Here is an example of how to use the TeX Gyre Pagella font with pdflatex:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{stix}
\usepackage{tgpagella}
\begin{document}
\textfrak{123} % Use Fraktur numerals
\end{document}

In this example, we use the stix package to load the STIX font and the tgpagella package to load the TeX Gyre Pagella font. We then use the \textfrak command to typeset the Fraktur numerals.

In conclusion, while STIX does not support Fraktur numerals, there are alternative fonts that can be used in conjunction with pdflatex. By using the TeX Gyre Pagella or Asana Math font, you can typeset Fraktur numerals in your mathematical documents. With a little modification to your LaTeX source code, you can take advantage of these alternative fonts and produce high-quality documents that meet your specific needs.

For more information on using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex, please refer to the following resources:

The STIX font package documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/stix
The TeX Gyre Pagella font documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/tgpagella
The Asana Math font documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/asana-math

By following the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can successfully use STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex to produce high-quality mathematical documents.
STIX and Alternative Fonts with pdflatex: A Q&A Guide

In our previous article, we explored the possibility of using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex. We discussed the limitations of STIX and the benefits of using alternative fonts, such as TeX Gyre Pagella and Asana Math. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex.

Q: What is the difference between STIX and TeX Gyre Pagella?

A: STIX is a comprehensive font package that provides a wide range of mathematical symbols, including Greek letters, mathematical operators, and more. TeX Gyre Pagella, on the other hand, is a specific font that provides Fraktur numerals and other mathematical symbols. While STIX is a more comprehensive font package, TeX Gyre Pagella is a more specialized font that is specifically designed for typesetting mathematical documents.

Q: Can I use both STIX and TeX Gyre Pagella in the same document?

A: Yes, you can use both STIX and TeX Gyre Pagella in the same document. However, you will need to use the \usepackage command to load both fonts, and then use the \textfrak command to typeset the Fraktur numerals.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{stix}
\usepackage{tgpagella}
\begin{document}
\textfrak{123} % Use Fraktur numerals
\end{document}

Q: How do I install the TeX Gyre Pagella font?

A: To install the TeX Gyre Pagella font, you will need to download the font package from the CTAN repository and then install it on your system. The installation process will vary depending on your operating system and LaTeX distribution.

Q: Can I use Asana Math with pdflatex?

A: Yes, you can use Asana Math with pdflatex. Asana Math is a comprehensive font package that provides a wide range of mathematical symbols, including Fraktur numerals. To use Asana Math with pdflatex, you will need to use the \usepackage command to load the font and then use the \textfrak command to typeset the Fraktur numerals.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{asana-math}
\begin{document}
\textfrak{123} % Use Fraktur numerals
\end{document}

Q: How do I troubleshoot font issues with pdflatex?

A: To troubleshoot font issues with pdflatex, you can try the following steps:

Check the font package documentation to ensure that you are using the correct font commands.
Verify that the font package is installed correctly on your system.
Check the LaTeX log file for any error messages related to font issues.
Try using a different font package or a different font command to see if the issue is specific to the current font.

In conclusion, using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex can be a powerful way to typeset mathematical documents. By understanding the limitations of STIX and the benefits of alternative fonts, you can create high-quality documents that meet your specific needs. We hope that this Q&A guide has been helpful in answering some of the most frequently asked questions about using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex.

For more information on using STIX and alternative fonts with pdflatex, please refer to the following resources:

The STIX font package documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/stix
The TeX Gyre Pagella font documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/tgpagella
The Asana Math font documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/asana-math
The pdflatex documentation: https://www.ctan.org/pkg/pdflatex