How Can I Display Fractions Like (a+b)/(c+d) in LaTeX?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around formatting fractions in LaTeX, specifically how to display expressions like (a+b)/(c+d) instead of using the standard \frac{a+b}{c+d}. Participants explore various methods for achieving this formatting, including the use of nested LaTeX commands and alternative approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that typing the expression directly as (a+b)/(c+d) may suffice without using \frac.
  • Others express uncertainty about the original question and propose experimenting with different commands, such as a hypothetical \ifrac.
  • A few participants mention the possibility of using larger slashes in LaTeX with commands like \big, \Big, \bigg, and \Bigg to enhance readability.
  • Some participants provide examples of complex expressions formatted in LaTeX, demonstrating various approaches to achieve the desired output.
  • There is a recognition that LaTeX can be challenging, and participants share their experiences of needing to look up commands frequently.
  • One participant suggests enclosing the numerator and denominator in parentheses for clarity, while others agree that this is a good practice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single best method for formatting fractions in LaTeX. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain, with some advocating for direct typing and others exploring nested commands.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in their understanding of LaTeX commands and acknowledge that certain formatting challenges may depend on specific contexts or expressions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals looking to improve their LaTeX formatting skills, particularly in the context of displaying fractions and complex mathematical expressions.

DaveE
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Is there a better way to get fractions to display like ## \rm{(a+b)/(c+d)}## instead of ## \frac{a+b}{c+d}##? Sometimes I'd like LaTex to do formatting "inside" the fraction; let's say with an integral symbol, for example.
 
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DaveE said:
Is there a better way to get fractions to display like ## \rm{(a+b)/(c+d)}## instead of ## \frac{a+b}{c+d}##? Sometimes I'd like LaTex to do formatting "inside" the fraction; let's say with an integral symbol, for example.
For that, you do not need to use the LaTex frac. You can just type it in. I have never had a problem nesting LaTex formats, but I am not a "power user".
 
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I'm not sure I understood the question. Where exactly is the problem?
 
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fresh_42 said:
I'm not sure I understood the question. Where exactly is the problem?
I might not have either :wink: . I may need to experiment more.

I was thinking that maybe someone would just say try "\ifrac{}{}" instead. BTW, I know, I made that one up, there is no \ifrac (I think).

I guess the simplest version is how do I do this with a command as simply as \frac instead of turning off their formatting and doing it myself inside of \rm. I'm suspecting not since I'm not hearing a simple answer.
 
Or the answer is so simple that we don't know what more to say. Just type it in. If you have an example of a problem with nested LaTex formats, maybe someone can help. You may need to backslash some special characters for LaTex to take them literally.
 
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FactChecker said:
Or the answer is so simple that we don't know what more to say. Just type it in. If you have an example of a problem with nested LaTex formats, maybe someone can help. You may need to backslash some special characters for LaTex to take them literally.
Yes, I think you're right. This stuff isn't so bad. Unless you think it's supposed to make sense, LOL.

## \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n ## / ## \int_0^t H(t-\tau) \, d\tau ##

## \int_0^t \frac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau ## / ##
\begin{vmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{vmatrix} ##
 
Do you mean something like that?

$$
\dfrac{ \displaystyle{\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n }}{ \displaystyle{\int_0^t H(t-\tau) \, d\tau }}
$$

$$ \dfrac{ \displaystyle{\int_0^t \dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau }}{
\det\left(\begin{matrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{matrix}\right)}$$
 
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DaveE said:
Yes, I think you're right. This stuff isn't so bad. Unless you think it's supposed to make sense, LOL.

## \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n ## / ## \int_0^t H(t-\tau) \, d\tau ##

## \int_0^t \frac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau ## / ##
\begin{vmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{vmatrix} ##
Are you happy with that? It seems to be a natural consequence of what you asked for, although I would recommend that you at least enclose the numerator and denominator in parenthesis to make it clearer. But you would also have to do that if you wrote it by hand.
If you want the forward slash to be larger, you can use \big, \Big, \bigg, and \Bigg in LaTex to make progressively larger slashes. This is \Bigg:
## \int_0^t \frac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau \Bigg /

\begin{vmatrix}

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\

a & b & c & d \\

x & y & z & w

\end{vmatrix} ##
 
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FactChecker said:
Are you happy with that? It seems to be a natural consequence of what you asked for, although I would recommend that you at least enclose the numerator and denominator in parenthesis to make it clearer. But you would also have to do that if you wrote it by hand.
If you want the forward slash to be larger, you can use \big, \Big, \bigg, and \Bigg in LaTex to make progressively larger slashes. This is \Bigg:
## \int_0^t \frac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau \Bigg /

\begin{vmatrix}

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\

a & b & c & d \\

x & y & z & w

\end{vmatrix} ##
Or even easier (and I think better to read) ...
$$
\begin{vmatrix}

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\

a & b & c & d \\

x & y & z & w

\end{vmatrix}^{-1} \displaystyle{\int_0^t \dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau}
$$
... if not even define ##A^{-1}:=
\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{pmatrix}## and write ##
\displaystyle{\int_0^t |\det(A)|\dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau}## which immediately refers to the transformation theorem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integration_by_substitution#Substitution_for_multiple_variables
 
  • #10
fresh_42 said:
Do you mean something like that?

$$
\dfrac{ \displaystyle{\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n }}{ \displaystyle{\int_0^t H(t-\tau) \, d\tau }}
$$

$$ \dfrac{ \displaystyle{\int_0^t \dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau }}{
\det\left(\begin{matrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{matrix}\right)}$$
Nope. That's the normal (i.e. good) way to format these, LOL.
 
  • #11
FactChecker said:
Are you happy with that? It seems to be a natural consequence of what you asked for, although I would recommend that you at least enclose the numerator and denominator in parenthesis to make it clearer. But you would also have to do that if you wrote it by hand.
If you want the forward slash to be larger, you can use \big, \Big, \bigg, and \Bigg in LaTex to make progressively larger slashes. This is \Bigg:
## \int_0^t \frac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau \Bigg /

\begin{vmatrix}

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\

a & b & c & d \\

x & y & z & w

\end{vmatrix} ##
I think this is as good as it can get. I didn't really know about \big, thanks.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
fresh_42 said:
Or even easier (and I think better to read) ...
$$
\begin{vmatrix}

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\

a & b & c & d \\

x & y & z & w

\end{vmatrix}^{-1} \displaystyle{\int_0^t \dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau}
$$
... if not even define ##A^{-1}:=
\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
a & b & c & d \\
x & y & z & w
\end{pmatrix}## and write ##
\displaystyle{\int_0^t |\det(A)|\dfrac{sin(t-\tau)}{(t-\tau)} \, d\tau}## which immediately refers to the transformation theorem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integration_by_substitution#Substitution_for_multiple_variables
Yes, these are better. The example was arbitrary and stupid just to show a more complex problem than ##\frac{a}{b}##.
 
  • #13
DaveE said:
I think this is as good as it can get. I didn't really know about \big, thanks.
You are not alone. When I am doing anything slightly complicated in LaTex I end up Googling it. Even if I know a trick today, next week I will have to Google it again. :-) I had to Google this to answer your question.
 
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  • #14
FactChecker said:
You are not alone. When I am doing anything slightly complicated in LaTex I end up Googling it. Even if I know a trick today, next week I will have to Google it again. :-) I had to Google this to answer your question.
I have loaded my keyboard with 67 shortcuts. As a result, I use these all the time rather than learning new ones. And if, as your useful big-enlargements, I'll probably forget them again.
 

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