Math & Science ⇒ Equation mode

[jhapk]

Hi,

I often notice that many authors use "\[" and "\]" instead of "\begin{equation}" and "\end{equation}" respectively. Any particular reasons for this?

Also, does anyone know of any potential advantages or disadvantages of the "gather" environment?

Thanks

[localghost]

[...] I often notice that many authors use "\[" and "\]" instead of "\begin{equation}" and "\end{equation}" respectively. Any particular reasons for this? [...]

Why don't you just test it and compare the results? Or do some basic reading.

[...] Also, does anyone know of any potential advantages or disadvantages of the "gather" environment? [...]

Read the amsmath manual and the »Math mode« document to find out.


Thorsten

[meho_r]

Those two aren't interchangeable. \[ ... \] are shortcuts to \begin{displaymath} ... \end{displaymath}, not \begin{equation} ... \end{equation}. The difference: displaymath environment just do as the name says: put a mathematical expression in a separate line, text centered (i.e. display style), while equation do the same with the addition of a sequential equation number.

Instead of \[ ... \] you may also use $$ ... $$ (EDIT: but, as noted by Stefan and localghost, it's better to avoid their use).

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Hi,

I often notice that many authors use "\[" and "\]" instead of "\begin{equation}" and "\end{equation}" respectively. Any particular reasons for this?

The equation environment would be numbered, but formulas written with \[ ... \] won't be numbered. It's not the same.
Perhaps you mean the displaymath environment. Indeed that's nearly the same, latex.ltx defines:

Code: Select all

\def\displaymath{\[}
\def\enddisplaymath{\]\@ignoretrue}

Also, does anyone know of any potential advantages or disadvantages of the "gather" environment?

The gather environment may be used for a group of equations, each one will be centered. It's easier to use gather instead of several consecutive equation environments.

Stefan

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Instead of \[ ... \] you may also use $$ ... $$

I would'nt recommend $$...$$ because inconsistent vertical spacing might occur, further $$ doesn't respect the fleqn class option. Formulas done by $$ would be centered even when fleqn has been set, but \[ .. \] acts accordingly and puts the formulas to the left side.

Stefan

[localghost]

[...] Instead of \[ ... \] you may also use $$ ... $$

Very bad idea. See l2tabu.

[meho_r]

Right, thanks Corrected.