Problem with TikZ in math environment

Question

I am attempting to add in some TikZ pictures as math symbols to represent some knot equations. Hence, I've created a couple of commands to create these images quickly.

\newcommand{\KA}[1]{
\begin{tikzpicture}[x=0.75pt,y=0.75pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]
\draw [line width=1.5]    (100.4,110.6) .. controls (119.4,71.1) and (119.4,71.1) .. (99.9,30.6) ;
\draw [line width=1.5]    (150.9,110.1) .. controls (131.9,70.1) and (130.9,70.1) .. (150.4,30.1) ;
\end{tikzpicture}
}
\newcommand{\KB}[1]{
\begin{tikzpicture}[x=0.75pt,y=0.75pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]
\draw [line width=1.5]    (207.02,45.05) .. controls (246.62,63.85) and (246.62,63.85) .. (287.02,44.15) ;
\draw [line width=1.5]    (207.78,95.55) .. controls (247.68,76.35) and (247.68,75.35) .. (287.78,94.65) ;
\end{tikzpicture}
}

Then, I attempt to use this in a document. In a regular environment, this is fine. However, inside mathmode, where I need it, it throws an error. For something simple like:

$$
\KA + \KB
$$

, I get the error:

Then, I attempted to use \mathord{} around each command. Still I get the error.

Here is the MWE:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{tikz}
\newcommand{\KA}[1]{
\begin{tikzpicture}[x=0.75pt,y=0.75pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]
\draw [line width=1.5]    (100.4,110.6) .. controls (119.4,71.1) and (119.4,71.1) .. (99.9,30.6) ;
\draw [line width=1.5]    (150.9,110.1) .. controls (131.9,70.1) and (130.9,70.1) .. (150.4,30.1) ;
\end{tikzpicture}
}
\newcommand{\KB}[1]{
\begin{tikzpicture}[x=0.75pt,y=0.75pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]
\draw [line width=1.5]    (207.02,45.05) .. controls (246.62,63.85) and (246.62,63.85) .. (287.02,44.15) ;
\draw [line width=1.5]    (207.78,95.55) .. controls (247.68,76.35) and (247.68,75.35) .. (287.78,94.65) ;
\end{tikzpicture}
}
\begin{document}
    $$\KA+\KB$$
\end{document}

Your newcommands are coded to require a parameter. Just get rid of the [1] after {\KA} and {\KB}. Also, you should use \[ .. \] instead of $$ .. $$. (https://tex.stackexchange.com/q/503/125871) — Sandy G, Feb 05 '22 at 04:20

Teddy van Jerry · Accepted Answer · 2022-02-06T03:05:21.110

I think this is the problem of Adding tikz plot in equation (maybe a duplicate). This can be done by modify the newcommand to fit for equation.

Reference: TikZ figure inside equation?

Instead of using the tikzpicture environment, you can just use \tikz command.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usepackage{adjustbox}
\newcommand{\KA}{\raisebox{-0.3mm}{
\tikz[x=0.075pt,y=0.075pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]{
\draw [line width=0.3]    (100.4,110.6) .. controls (119.4,71.1) and (119.4,71.1) .. (99.9,30.6) ;
\draw [line width=0.3]    (150.9,110.1) .. controls (131.9,70.1) and (130.9,70.1) .. (150.4,30.1);}}
}
\newcommand{\KB}{
\tikz[x=0.075pt,y=0.075pt,yscale=-1,xscale=1]{
\draw [line width=0.3]    (207.02,45.05) .. controls (246.62,63.85) and (246.62,63.85) .. (287.02,44.15) ;
\draw [line width=0.3]    (207.78,95.55) .. controls (247.68,76.35) and (247.68,75.35) .. (287.78,94.65) ;}
}
\begin{document}
    % make it larger to see (x10)
    \scalebox{10}{
        $$\KA+\KB$$
    }
\end{document}

So far, no error is produced, but the size of the plot should be adjusted. I made some changes and now it looked like:

EDIT

As Sandy G pointed out, the use of tikzpicture is no problem. It is just my habit to use the simple \tikz command in maths equation.

FYI, the issue has nothing to do with the command \tikz. In LaTeX you can use \begin{tikzpicture} ... \end{tikzpicture} interchangeably with \tikz{ ... }. — Sandy G, Feb 05 '22 at 17:48
@SandyG Yes indeed, a matter of habit In maths equation I have the preference of using \tikz command. — Teddy van Jerry, Feb 06 '22 at 02:59

Problem with TikZ in math environment

1 Answers1

EDIT