Math & Science ⇒ hat position over underlined letter

[Montag]

Hello,
is it possible to align the hat (made with \hat) above y like it is (centered) over the x? Is this possible using a global option/adjustment?

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[Frits]

I'm not sure if this is going to solve your problem, since you didn't give a Minimal Working Example.

My guess is that the line underneath the 'y' is done with \underline{y}. Then your code probably looked like:

Code: Select all

\hat{\underline{y}}

Now this goes wrong: LaTeX centers the hat automatically above its argument. The argument here is \underline{y}, where the underline is wider than the y.
Solution: center it above the y and then define the underlining:

Code: Select all

\underline{\hat{y}}

[localghost]

[…] is it possible to align the hat (made with \hat) above y like it is (centered) over the x? Is this possible using a global option/adjustment?

With respect to the line underneath both characters, the hat is centred. It optically looks like it's not because the »y« appears more slanted (we know it isn't). What you want is to shift it according to your personal thus subjective feeling. And this feeling seems to depend on the used font (keyword MWE). With the standard CM it looks OK. Nevertheless you can define a new command that does this job.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\newcommand*{\xhat}[1]{#1\kern-0.35em\hat{\phantom{#1}}}

\begin{document}
$\hat{y}\xhat{y}$
\end{document}

Thorsten

[Montag]

Thank you both.
Frits' suggestion seems to work fine.
The new command by you (Thorsten) seems to be a little bit shifted to the right, either I underline first and the put that hat on it or vice versa. But then, I am next to not familiar with kerning properties/options of characters at all.

[localghost]

[…] But then, I am next to not familiar with kerning properties/options of characters at all.

You should be able to adjust \kern-0.35em according to your needs. It simply stands for some negative space. Just play around with it. Valid length units like »em« or »ex« should be familiar to you.

[Montag]

[…] But then, I am next to not familiar with kerning properties/options of characters at all.

You should be able to adjust \kern-0.35em to your needs. It simply stands for some negative space. Just play around with it. Valid length units like »em« or »ex« should be familiar to you.

Ok, thank you ... now I got it, I think. The em value "was" (-> is) directly connected to the font metrics, thus font-dependent and that's why the spacing command you posted has to be changed.