# When should we use \frak{…} in LaTeX

I saw in a note that when writing a paper some notations must be written by \frak{ }, in LaTeX, I want to know what the meaning of some notations is, and where I can find a source for these types of points of writing? For example, if $R$ is a local ring we write it's maximal ideal as $\frak {m}$

• For LaTeX and in equations, I suppose it should rather be \mathfrak. Anyway, you should use that whenever you need fraktur letters. Fraktur is (for example) often used for ideals and sometimes for vectors, but mostly it is a matter of taste or local conventions. – Hagen von Eitzen Jan 4 '16 at 10:07
• I don't think this question is about how you typeset Fraktur in LaTeX, but about mathematical writing conventions. (When should I use Fraktur instead of the Latin or Greek alphabet?) So I don't think TeX - LaTeX is a good place for it. – CodesInChaos Jan 4 '16 at 10:12
• "I saw in a note that ... some notations ..." – an exact quote of that note would be helpful. – Martin R Jan 4 '16 at 10:18
• Atiyah-MacDonald uses $\mathfrak{a}, \mathfrak{b}, \mathfrak{m}, \mathfrak{p},\mathfrak{q}$ to signify ideals of a ring. – Arthur Jan 4 '16 at 10:39
• @pGroups On TeX.StackExchange this would be considered off-topic, I'm afraid. When to use \mathfrak is not a TeX question, but it pertains to style. – egreg Jan 4 '16 at 12:11