Code:
\begin{equation*}
v_o = (v_i - V_D) e^-\frac{ t}{\tau}
\end{equation*}
What I want:
What I am getting:
1 Answer
You have three main choices for typesetting the exponential expression that has the number e as its base: (a) use a \frac term in the exponent (and don't forget to enclose the exponent in curly braces); (b) use an inline-fraction term in the exponent; and (c) use \exp(...) notation to avoid creating an exponent in the first place.
All three choices are "correct" from a purely mathematical point of view. However, do note that the t and \tau terms are typeset in \scriptscriptstyle, \scripstyle, and \textstyle, respectively, according to the first, second, and third choice. For comparison, the terms e and exp, respectively, are always typeset in \textstyle.
Unless you're really short on horizontal space, do consider using either the second or the third method instead of the first. Your readers will likely appreciate you being considerate.
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\[
e^{-\frac{t}{\tau}} \quad e^{-t/\tau} \quad \exp(-t/\tau)
\]
\end{document}
^unless you specify otherwise. Try changing your code toe^{-\frac{ t}{\tau}}to show you want everything inside{}to be the exponent. As you wrote it LaTeX interprets ase^{-}\frac{ t}{\tau}.$\exp(-t/\tau)$for legibility.