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The hat marks estimators in statistics (x̂ for an estimate of x), unit vectors in physics (n̂) and Fourier transforms. \widehat stretches over a group; \hat sits on one character.
All ways to write it
| Command | Use | Package | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
\hat{x} | single letter | none | |
\widehat{xyz} | wide hat | none | |
\hat{\mathbf{n}} | unit vector | none | |
\^{a} | text mode â | none |
Example
\hat{\beta} = (X^T X)^{-1} X^T yThe least-squares estimator, hat marking the estimate.
Questions
Why does \widehat look the same as \hat on one letter?
On a single letter they coincide. \widehat only grows over two or more characters.
Related symbols
- Tilde ∼
\sim - Bar x̄
\bar{x} - Vector arrow v⃗
\vec{v}
Using hat in Confluence
Confluence Cloud has no built-in LaTeX. With LaTeX Math for Confluence you add a math macro to any page, type \hat{x} and it renders inline or as a block, with a live preview while you edit. Every command on this page renders there without extra packages.