How to Take Math Notes in Obsidian (Zero-Friction)

The Pain Point (Opening)

You’ve been there—staring at a complex equation in Obsidian, feeling the friction of typing LaTeX syntax, wondering if there’s a faster way. Math notes in Obsidian can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with integration, matrices, or multi-line equations. Many researchers and students avoid taking math notes altogether because the process feels like a “nightmare.” If you’ve ever procrastinated on note-taking because of complex equations, you’re not alone.

As a researcher, you need to capture mathematical concepts, but the effort required to format equations can halt your workflow. The fear of making syntax errors or spending hours on a single equation can be overwhelming. This friction leads to skipped notes, lost insights, and a knowledge system that’s incomplete.

What You’ll Get From This

After reading this blog post and watching the video, you’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of how to write equations in Obsidian using inline and block LaTeX syntax
• Practical steps to handle complex equations without getting lost in syntax
• Zero-friction math note-taking using Mathpix—a tool that converts screenshots to perfectly formatted LaTeX
• A workflow that eliminates procrastination and makes math note-taking effortless
• Integration with your existing Obsidian vault (using the investment vault example from the series)

The Solution (Main Content)

Writing Equations in Obsidian: Inline vs. New Line

Obsidian supports LaTeX equations natively. There are two primary ways to write equations:

1. Inline equations: Wrap your equation in single dollar signs $...$. This places the equation within a line of text.
   • Example: $f = P(1 + r)^t$ renders as $f = P(1 + r)^t$
2. Block equations: Wrap your equation in double dollar signs $$...$$. This centers the equation on its own line.
   • Example: $$f = P(1 + r)^t$$ renders as a centered block equation

Handling Complex Equations with LaTeX in Obsidian

Obsidian supports almost all LaTeX equation styles. If you know LaTeX syntax, you can write any equation—integrals, matrices, fractions, etc. However, complex equations can be time-consuming to type manually. The video shows a complex compound interest equation with periodic contributions, which would take many minutes to type.

Zero-Friction Math Note-Taking with Mathpix

Mathpix is a snipping tool that converts screenshots of equations (or any text) into LaTeX code instantly. The workflow:

1. Take a screenshot of the equation (or a block of text containing equations)
2. Use Mathpix to convert the screenshot to LaTeX
3. Copy the LaTeX output and paste directly into Obsidian
4. Obsidian renders the equation perfectly

This turns a 10-minute typing job into a 10-second screenshot-and-paste. The video demonstrates Mathpix converting a complex compound interest equation with periodic contributions into formatted LaTeX, which is then pasted into Obsidian.

Integration with Your Obsidian Vault

The video uses the “investment” vault from the Obsidian Starter Series. The note is created under a Map of Content (MOC) called “Mock Investment,” which organizes notes about index funds and investment calculations. By using MOCs, you keep your notes connected and easy to navigate.

Watch the Full Video

For the complete step-by-step walkthrough, watch the full video below:

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👋 About Me

Hi, I’m Shuvangkar Das — a power systems researcher with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, currently working as a Research Scientist. I work at the intersection of power electronics, inverter-based DERs (IBRs), and AI to help build smarter, greener, and more stable electric grids.

My work spans large-scale EMT simulations, firmware development, reinforcement learning, and hardware prototyping. Beyond engineering, I’m also a YouTuber and content creator — sharing hands-on insights on productivity, research, and knowledge management. My goal is simple: to make complex ideas more accessible and actionable for everyone.

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📚 Obsidian Notes I Used for This Blog