Math & Science ⇒ Matrix in LaTeX

[izza]

hi there,

How do I get a matrix nicer than the one with the commands below?

\begin{center}
$Q_3$=\begin{pmatrix}-3&3&0&0\\1&-3&2&0\\0&2&-3&1\\0&0&0&0\end{pmatrix}
\end{center}

This will give me the correct matrix but the "-"signs make it look ugly for bigger matrices....
Does anyone know how to get the "-"signs a bit to the left so that the actual numbers form smooth columns?

Thanks alot!

Kind regards,
A.

[localghost]

You seem to lack the fundamentals of typesetting math expressions. For such a matrix you have to switch to math mode. Here it's an unnumbered displayed equation environment.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{mathtools}   % loads »amsmath«

\begin{document}
  \[
    Q_3=
    \begin{pmatrix*}[r]
      -3 &  3 &  0 &  0 \\
       1 & -3 &  2 &  0 \\
       0 &  2 & -3 &  1 \\
       0 &  0 &  0 &  0
    \end{pmatrix*}
  \]
\end{document}

The mathtools manual tells you more. General information about math typesetting is available with the »Math mode« document.


Best regards
Thorsten