Can We Glue Text? LaTeX vs Text

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Hurkyl
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of preventing line breaks in text-based mathematical expressions within a forum context. Participants explore various methods to achieve this, considering both text and LaTeX formats, and the implications of their choices on readability and formatting.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using tags around expressions to prevent line breaks, questioning whether the server prefers text over LaTeX.
  • Another participant recalls that in the pre-LaTeX days, starting a new line was the only reliable method to avoid breaks.
  • A different approach proposed involves avoiding spaces in expressions to keep them intact across line breaks.
  • One participant notes that while avoiding spaces works for some formulas, many symbols still cause breaks in their browser.
  • Some participants express frustration with long expressions that prevent line breaks, indicating a preference for readability over strict formatting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best method to handle line breaks in mathematical expressions. There is no consensus on a single approach, as some prefer starting new lines while others explore formatting options.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability of browser behavior with different symbols and expressions, which affects how participants perceive the effectiveness of proposed solutions.

Hurkyl
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
14,922
Reaction score
28
It would really be nice if I could glue text; e.g. if I could put some sort of tag around an expression like [X, Y](f) = (XY - YX)(f), to guarantee that the browser won't insert a line break in the middle of the expression. I suppose I could just make it into LaTeX, but I'm assuming the server is happier if I write it as text.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In the pre-LaTeX days the only reliable way I could think of to do that was to start another line.

The Lie bracket of X and Y is:

[X,Y]=XY-YX

and so forth.
 
One method that might work... Don't use spaces. [X,Y](f)=(XY-YX)(f) [X,Y](f)=(XY-YX)(f) [X,Y](f)=(XY-YX)(f) [X,Y](f)=(XY-YX)(f) [X,Y](f)=(XY-YX)(f)

(resize your browser window)
 
That works for some formulae. Alas, there are a lot of symbols my broswer will break. e.g. with what you wrote, I see:

... [X,Y](f)=(XY-
YX)(f) ...
 
Well, personally, if it's going to be that long, I'd be somewhat annoyed if someone put in a command to stop it from breaking. I dislike when posts get all stretched because someone does something that prevents the lines from breaking, especially if I'm trying read from my laptop with a small screen.

I think Tom's suggestion is best, just start a new line.
 
Moonbear said:
Well, personally, if it's going to be that long, I'd be somewhat annoyed if someone put in a command to stop it from breaking. I dislike when posts get all stretched because someone does something that prevents the lines from breaking, especially if I'm trying read from my laptop with a small screen.

I think Tom's suggestion is best, just start a new line.
Well, I would have expected the line break would be placed before the expression, rather than after.
 

Similar threads

LaTeX Can we see the latex source code for each post?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
LaTeX LaTex expressions running over following text
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
LaTeX How Do You Handle Font Discrepancies Between Math and Text in LaTeX?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Mathematica How to type mathematical equations using LaTeX
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
LaTeX Guide to Using LaTeX for Equations
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
LaTeX Any real easy to use Latex editor out there?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
15K
LaTeX LaTeX WYSIWYG Editor Bug: Unintended TEX Tags Inserted with Symbols?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
LaTeX How can I size the center bar in my LaTeX code for sets with constraints?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
MATLAB Matlab GUI: putting several edit text inputs in one matrix
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
18K
LaTeX How Can You Integrate LaTeX with NeoOffice on Mac?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
13K