Feature Request: Support for \nicefrac in Discourse Math (\KaTeX/\MathJax)

Feature
1

:puzzle_piece: Feature Request: Add Support for \nicefrac in Discourse Math Rendering

Summary

Please add support for the \nicefrac{a}{b} command in Discourse math rendering. This diagonal-style fraction is compact and ideal for inline expressions, improving readability without disrupting line spacing.

:test_tube: Why \nicefrac?

  • Produces clean, diagonal (slashed) fractions like $ \nicefrac{1}{2} $
  • More elegant than 1/2 and less bulky than \dfrac{1}{2}
  • Common in physics, statistics, and mathematical writing

:package: Implementation Notes

Discourse might be able to support math via KaTeX or MathJax, depending on the installed plugin. This feature request outlines implementation for both:

:white_check_mark: MathJax

MathJax might support \nicefrac if an extension is loaded:

MathJax.Hub.Config({
  TeX: {
    extensions: ["AMSmath.js", "nicefrac.js"]
  }
});

This could mean no core changes are needed — so you could just update the plugin config to enable the extension.

:wrench: KaTeX

KaTeX does not support \nicefrac natively. It might be possible that the following workaround macro can be added:

macros: {
  "\\nicefrac": "\\raisebox{.5ex}{\\footnotesize #1}/\\raisebox{-.25ex}{\\footnotesize #2}"
}

Alternatively, it might be worth investigating support through third-party KaTeX extensions such as katex-extension.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Reproduction

Try rendering the following:

$\nicefrac{3}{4}$

Result in KaTeX:

`KaTeX parse error: Undefined control sequence: \nicefrac

Result in MathJax (if extension not loaded):

LaTeX Error: Command \nicefrac undefined `MathJax parse error: Undefined control sequence: \nicefrac

:white_check_mark: Expected Behavior

  • $ \nicefrac{3}{4} $ renders a proper diagonal fraction
  • Might be able to work consistently across both KaTeX and MathJax installs providers
  • Hopefully, No parse errors or user confusion

:speech_balloon: Motivation

  • \nicefrac is widely used in LaTeX documents and teaching materials
  • Inline fractions appear more naturally in text
  • Improves math formatting in STEM-heavy Discourse communities

:link: References

Thank you for considering this small but valuable improvement to math rendering in Discourse!