LaTeX Display Left Subscript: Is There A Command?

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The discussion focuses on formatting in LaTeX, specifically how to correctly display a "bra" notation with a subscript on the left side. The user initially struggles with the formatting, finding that their attempts, such as using "<" and ">", do not yield satisfactory results. Participants suggest using "\langle" and "\rangle" instead, as these are appropriate delimiters that avoid the additional spacing issues associated with the less suitable symbols. It is noted that "<" and ">" are treated as binary relations in LaTeX, which affects their spacing. Additionally, using "\left" and "\right" can make "<" and ">" behave like "\langle" and "\rangle", providing a more consistent appearance in the notation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of using the correct commands for optimal typesetting in mathematical expressions.
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I am working with a "ket" ##|0>_{loc}##, and I want to display the corresponding "bra" where the subscript ##loc## appears on the left side. The best I can do is this \;_{loc} <0| but this isn't satisfactory: ##\;_{loc} <0|##.

Is there a specific command for putting the subscript on the left?

Thanks.
 
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How about ## {}_2H ## which I got from {}_2H ?
 
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
 
julian said:
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
Which in-betweens? What's too far spread? You could use text: ##{}_{loc}\text{<0|}##.
 
julian said:
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
You should really use "\langle" and "\rangle" instead of "<" and ">" : $${}_{loc}\langle 0|$$ $$|0 \rangle_{loc}$$
 
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Thanks everybody.
 
DrGreg said:
You should really use "\langle" and "\rangle" instead of "<" and ">" : $${}_{loc}\langle 0|$$ $$|0 \rangle_{loc}$$
Just to mention why: "<" and ">" are binary relations and LaTeX typesets them as such, including additional spacing (apart from actually being different symbols). \langle and \rangle are delimiters just like ), ], and \} and are typeset as such.

Edit: If you use \left and \right, < and > will be equivalent to \langle and \rangle, i.e., \left< is an alias for \left\langle.
 
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