diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/templates/latex/latex_base.tplx b/IPython/nbconvert/templates/latex/latex_base.tplx
index c981641..367c1c9 100644
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/templates/latex/latex_base.tplx
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/templates/latex/latex_base.tplx
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@ This template does not define a docclass, the inheriting class must define this.
     % exist.
     \def\br{\hspace*{\fill} \\* }
 
+    % Math Jax compatability definitions
+    \def\gt{<}
+    \def\lt{<}
+
     % Document parameters
     ((* block title *))\title{((( resources.metadata.name | escape_latex )))}((* endblock title *))
     ((* block date *))((* endblock date *))