Math & Science ⇒ Minimum Operator with Text underneath instead of beside

[kukulcan]

I write equation like this \min_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}, but n is not under min. but beside it, like this min n. Why?

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Hi kukulcan,

welcome to the board!

It's written next to it to avoid spreading the distance between the lines, because the text underneath would require more vertical space. For \min_n, n is written below \min if you use it in displayed equations, but beside it if you use it within normal text. But you can change it using \displaystyle for switching the style of the formula or \limits for changing just the style of the operator.

Have a look at this example:

Code: Select all

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Inline math, i.e. math within text: $\min_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}$

A displayed formula:
\[\min_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}\]

Inline math, but in a displayed style:
$\displaystyle\min_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}$

Inline math, only \verb|\min| in a displayed style, i.e. limits below:
$\min\limits_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}$
\end{document}

math_styles.png (14.92 KiB) Viewed 62958 times

Stefan

[kukulcan]

The whole code is like this.

Code: Select all

\begin{eqnarray}
\begin{array}{ll}
\min_{n}\Arrowvert x \Arrowvert_{1}\\
subject~to~ y=Ax
\end{array}
\end{eqnarray}

I think it is in display style.


Edit:
yes, it works!

Thanks a lot!

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Just a remark, you should not use eqnarray, because it's obsolete, causes inconsistent spacing and other problems. Better use align of amsmath instead. See eqnarray vs. align for a detailed explanation.

Stefan