What are the differences between $...$, $$...$$, $...$, and \[...\]?

Question

The title says it all. I haven't been able to find the answer yet, so any help would be appreciated.

On $$ vs \[ see Why is \[ ... \] preferable to $$ ... $$?. On $ vs \( see Are ( and ) preferable to dollar signs for math mode?. — Alan Munn, Jan 17 '18 at 17:42
Are ( and ) preferable to dollar signs for math mode? covers the other. — Dai Bowen, Jan 17 '18 at 17:43
I already knew most of the differences discussed in these questions. The main thing is (...) vs [...]]. Thanks anyways! — Invariance, Jan 17 '18 at 17:54
So do these questions answer the question you're trying to ask? Because the difference between \( and \[ is inline vs. display math. The corresponding $ versions are TeX (not LaTeX) versions of these. — Alan Munn, Jan 17 '18 at 18:01
@AlanMunn the inline vs. display answered my question. Thanks! — Invariance, Jan 17 '18 at 18:50
Ok I've added an answer explaining the broad distinction with links to the other questions. — Alan Munn, Jan 17 '18 at 18:59

score 26 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 17 '18 at 18:58

Math mode has two main modes: display mode and inline mode. Inline mode is for math that is included within a line or paragraph of text, and display mode is for math that is set apart from the main text.

Inline math

The TeX delimiters for inline math are $ and $.

The LaTeX delimiters for inline math are $ and $.

Although it's possible to use $...$ for inline math as well in LaTeX. See the following question for more discussion.

Are $ and $ preferable to dollar signs for math mode?

Displayed math

The TeX delimiters for displayed math are $$ and $$.

The LaTeX delimiters for displayed math are \[ and \].

Unlike the delimiters for inline math, you should not use the TeX form of the delimiters in LaTeX. See the following question for discussion.

Why is \[ ... \] preferable to $$ ... $$?

Notably, inline $ ... $ syntax is documented in LaTeX: A Document Preparation System by Lamport, whilst $$ ... $$ syntax is not. — Joseph Wright, Jan 17 '18 at 19:01

What are the differences between $...$, $$...$$, \(...\), and \[...\]?

1 Answers1

Inline math

Displayed math

Linked