Math & Science ⇒ Quick question about \left, \right, in {align}

[benbenny]

why does this work:

Code: Select all

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\begin{document}

\begin{align}
\left[ x 
 x \right]
\end{align}

\end{document}

While this does NOT work:

Code: Select all

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\begin{document}

\begin{align}
\left[ x \\
 x \right]
\end{align}

\end{document}

I guess its because of the line break in the middle. So I guess my question is: is it not possible to make it work without having to insert \right. and \left. in the middle before and after the \\?

Thank you

Ben

[gmedina]

This issue has been discussed over and over again... the breqn package can offer you some alternatives; the commands \big, \Big, \bigg, and \Bigg can also be used. The "Search" function of the board will surely yield useful insight.

Basic related documentation:

mathmode,

amsmath documentation

and some other documents included somewhere else in this board.