Spacing in math mode
This article explains how to insert spaces of different widths in math mode.
Contents
Introduction
Adjusting (La)TeX's default math mode spacing can be useful in certain situations; let's see an example:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
Assume we have the next sets
\[
S = \{ z \in \mathbb{C}\, |\, |z| < 1 \} \quad \textrm{and} \quad S_2=\partial{S}
\]
\end{document}
This example produces the following output:
As you see in this example, a mathematical text can be explicitly spaced by means of some special commands.
Spaces
The example below contains a complete list of spaces inserted using various commands and demonstrates their effect on the typeset math.
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
Spaces in mathematical mode.
\begin{align*}
f(x) &= x^2\! +3x\! +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2+3x+2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\, +3x\, +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\: +3x\: +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\; +3x\; +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\ +3x\ +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\quad +3x\quad +2 \\
f(x) &= x^2\qquad +3x\qquad +2
\end{align*}
\end{document}
This example produces the following output:
Check the reference guide for a description of the commands.
Note: to see a description of the align*
environment see Aligning equations with amsmath
Operators spacing
Spacing around operators and relations in math mode are governed by specific skip widths:
\thinmuskip
(by default it is equal to 3 mu)\medmuskip
(by default it is equal to 4 mu)\thickmuskip
(by default it is equal to 5 mu)
\begin{align*}
3ax+4by=5cz\\
3ax<4by+5cz
\end{align*}
This example produces the following output:
For relational operators, such as \(<\), \(>\) and \(=\), LaTeX establishes \thickmuskip
space. But for binary operators such as \(+\), \(-\) and \(\times\), the \medmuskip
space is set. The difference is almost unnoticeable.
User-defined binary and relational operators
You can force the spacing used in binary or relational operators, so you can define your own.
\begin{align*}
34x^2a \mathbin{\#} 13bc \\
34x^2a \mathrel{\#} 13bc
\end{align*}
This example produces the following output:
The previous example sets a particular spacing before and after #
by using \mathrel
(relational) and \mathbin
(binary) commands.
Reference guide
Description of spacing commands
LaTeX code | Description |
---|---|
\quad |
space equal to the current font size (= 18 mu) |
\, |
3/18 of \quad (= 3 mu)
|
\: |
4/18 of \quad (= 4 mu)
|
\; |
5/18 of \quad (= 5 mu)
|
\! |
-3/18 of \quad (= -3 mu)
|
\ (space after backslash!) |
equivalent of space in normal text |
\qquad |
twice of \quad (= 36 mu)
|
Further reading
For more information see
Overleaf guides
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- Uploading a project
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- Using the Overleaf project menu
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- Using the History feature
- Debugging Compilation timeout errors
- How-to guides
- Guide to Overleaf’s premium features
LaTeX Basics
- Creating your first LaTeX document
- Choosing a LaTeX Compiler
- Paragraphs and new lines
- Bold, italics and underlining
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Mathematics
- Mathematical expressions
- Subscripts and superscripts
- Brackets and Parentheses
- Matrices
- Fractions and Binomials
- Aligning equations
- Operators
- Spacing in math mode
- Integrals, sums and limits
- Display style in math mode
- List of Greek letters and math symbols
- Mathematical fonts
- Using the Symbol Palette in Overleaf
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