[OS X TeX] Improper alphabetic constant

[Alain Schremmer]

> On Dec 18, 2020, at 8:08 AM, Herbert Schulz <herbs at wideopenwest.com> wrote:
> 
>> On Dec 18, 2020, at 1:48 AM, Alain Schremmer <schremmer.alain at freemathtexts.org> wrote:

>> $\xrightarrow{5}$ and \boldsymbol{$5$} both compile but \boldsymbol{$\xrightarrow{5}$} does not.

>> 

>> The error is:

>> 

>> 2.tex:1309: Improper alphabetic constant.

>> <to be read again>

>>                   \reserved at d

>> l.1309 \boldsymbol{$\xrightarrow{5}$}

>> 

>> Any way around it?


> Howdy,

> Are you sure \boldsymbol{$5$} compiles? I believe the \boldsymbol needs to be in math mode so $\boldsymbol{5}$ and $\boldsymbol{\xrightarrow{5}}$ work fine.


	Both $\boldsymbol{5}$ and \boldsymbol{$\rightarrow$} compile which is one more thing I don’t get---but which does not make me lose any sleep. 
	
	But $\boldsymbol{\xrightarrow{5}}$ definitely produces the error I mentioned. At least for me.

	On the other hand, I just found out that $\pmb{\xrightarrow{5}}$ does work. So, I am ok.


> As a side note you should get used to \(...\) instead of $...$ for inline math (and \[...\] instead of $$...$$ if you use that for display math).


When I was writing some of my stuff on the web, I did but didn’t like it so stopped using them as soon as I stopped writing web pages. 

But, I am curious, are there other reasons?

Best
—s 


> Good Luck,
> 
> Herb Schulz
> herbs at wideopenwest.com
> 
> 
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