Math & Science ⇒ Alternate bold "a"

[Cham]

Currently, the default bold "a" in mathmode is like the one from this compilable code :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
% A macro to change the default vectors :
\let\oldhat\hat
\renewcommand{\vec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
\renewcommand{\hat}[1]{\oldhat{\mathbf{#1}}}

\begin{document}
A vector :
	\begin{equation}
		\vec{a}
	\end{equation}
\end{document}

It has the same shape as "a" (see the small "arm" above the letter). I would like to change it to the one without this "arm" : a letter which looks like a round shape, the same "a" as shown in the code snippet above (hard to describe, since I don't know its name). How can I do that ?

[localghost]

At the moment I only obtain a bold faced "a" from your code example. Hence I can't follow you. Furthermore I don't understand what you mean with this "arm".


Thorsten

[Cham]

I mean I would like to have another "a", the one which is rounder. See the difference between "a" and this one :

Code: Select all

a

[localghost]

???

A sans serif font perhaps?

[Cham]

No, is the same font family, but without the small extension ("arm") on top. LOL, it's hard to describe. I know this thing exists, since I saw it elsewhere (can't remember where, though).

[localghost]

No, is the same font family, but without the small extension ("arm") on top. […]

Again, what in your understanding is this "arm"?

[Cham]

Sorry if I'm dense. English isn't my primary language...

The "a" I'm looking is of the same shape as the one you get without the boldface :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}

\let\oldhat\hat
\renewcommand{\vec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
\renewcommand{\hat}[1]{\oldhat{\mathbf{#1}}}

\begin{document}
A vector :
	\begin{equation}
		\vec{a}
	\end{equation}
	\begin{equation}
		a
	\end{equation}
\end{document}

However, I want it to be in bold...

[localghost]

[…] English isn't my primary language […]

Neither mine. So what?

[…] The "a" I'm looking is of the same shape as the one you get without the boldface […] However, I want it to be in bold...

There we go! You want a small, italicized and boldfaced "a" like it is typeset in math mode (just to outline the problem).

There are two possible approaches for math mode.

• The \boldsymbol command from amsmath
• The \bm command from bm (bold math)

The respective manuals have more information. Outside math mode this can be done with \textbf{\emph{a}}.

[Cham]

Ahaa ! Now it works !

I'm using \boldsymbol{a}.

Don't you think it's a better way to present Newton's equation ?

Code: Select all

\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\let\oldhat\hat
\renewcommand{\vec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
\renewcommand{\hat}[1]{\oldhat{\mathbf{#1}}}

\begin{document}
Newton's equation :
	\begin{equation}
		\vec{F} = m \, \vec{a}
	\end{equation}
	
	\begin{equation}
		\vec{F} = m \, \boldsymbol{a}
	\end{equation}
\end{document}

Which one is the correct presentation ?

[localghost]

[…] Which one is the correct presentation ?

The second one is certainly not since it uses two different depictions of vectorial quantities (force and acceleration).

By the way, there is a simpler method to change the depiction of vectorial quantities. If, like in your case, it's about having vectors depicted as upright boldfaced letter instead of italicized letter with an arrow above, a single line in the preamble will do.

Code: Select all

\let\vec\mathbf