If you have a choice, choose your fonts carefully.
In physics, we might see the formula:
\(F = I l B \sin \theta\)
where \(I\) is a current in a wire, \(l\) is the length of the wire and so on.
In a sans serif font, this becomes:
F = IlB sinθ
There can be 2 problems here. First, in many sans serif fonts we cannot easy distinguish capital I (eye) from lower-case l (el). Second, many sans serif fonts do not include a set of mathematical symbols. The Greek theta (θ) will then be taken from a serif font and may not match the other characters visually.
Reminder. Choose a font in which the various mathematical symbols will be easily differentiated, and that has a full set of coherently designed symbols.
Some formulas use the Greek letter nu (ν). Depending on font, this may look like a v (vee).
Reminder. Choose your notation carefully. For example, some Greek letters are too similar to their Latin equivalents and must be avoided unless convention demands their use. Such pairs include nu (ν) and v (not to mention upsilon, υ), iota (ι) and i, and omicron (ο) and o. Many Greek capitals are the same as those in English (eg capital alpha = A).
Always format symbols the same in running text as in the equation:
We can write
$$x=\frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$
where a = 2, b = 3 and c = 1. [wrong – a, b and c are roman]
where \(a=2\), \(b=3\) and \(c=1\). [correct – \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) match the equation]
Reminder. If we change the font, we change the meaning of the symbol.
