https://news.ycombinator.com/formatdoc says two leading spaces formats code verbatim:

  (-b + math.Sqrt(b*b - 4*a*c)) / (2*a)

Leave a whitespace after the asterisk: 1 * 2 * 3 = 6

https://news.ycombinator.com/formatdoc

Make sure there are spaces on both sides. Asterisk: * (plain asterisk surround by spaces). Italics: foo ('foo' surrounded by asterisks).