How do you insert a break using latex?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to insert line breaks in LaTeX, particularly in the context of formatting equations and text. Participants explore various LaTeX environments and commands that can facilitate multi-line formatting.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to insert a break in LaTeX, indicating that their equations are appearing on a single line.
  • Another suggests using the align* environment, explaining that lines are separated by \\ and alignment points are marked with &.
  • A participant requests to see a snippet of the LaTeX code to diagnose the issue further.
  • Some express confusion about the necessity of the \begin{} and \end{} commands for line breaks.
  • One participant mentions that they can start a new line with \\ in their LaTeX editor, suggesting that behavior may vary by environment.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with the complexity of LaTeX commands compared to simpler HTML line breaks.
  • Alternatives such as using the array environment or inserting paragraph breaks with \par are proposed by participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the simplest method for inserting line breaks in LaTeX, with multiple competing views and approaches presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definition of a LaTeX environment and the specific commands required for line breaks. There are also mentions of variations in behavior across different LaTeX editors.

darryw
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How do you insert a break using latex?

Homework Statement


all my equations come out on one sinle line.. please help??

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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I don't think this is a homework question...

Try using a LaTeX environment designed to give multiple lines. I like using align* Here's an example.

[tex]\begin{align*}<br /> a & = b + c + c \\<br /> & = b + 2c \\<br /> b & = a - 2c<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]

Within the environment, lines are separated by \\, and the & character marks an alignment point within each line. As usual, click on the equation to see the LaTeX code used.
 


In addition to the above comment, you may want to give us a snippet of your latex code so that we can see the problem firsthand.
 


latex is so awesome..
thanks you
 


using this, \\ within the latex environment isn't making a line break. What am i doing wrong??
 


for example..

[tex]a & = b + c + c \\<br /> & = b + 2c \\<br /> b & = a - 2[/tex]

this is copied and pasted from the above post but it won't do the line breaks.. (??) thank you
 


Sylas's script looks like this (with extra spaces in the tex tags so that what's inside doesn't render).
[ tex]\begin{align*}a & = b + c + c \\& = b + 2c \\b & = a - 2c\end{align*}[ /tex]

You don't have the \begin{align*} and \end{align*} tags.
 


sylas said that "Within the environment, lines are separated by \\, and the & character marks an alignment point within each line."
so why doesn't just inserting \\ give line break? (basically i just want to know the simplest fastest way to get a line break)

thanks
 


I think that by "within the environment" he meant the content between the \begin{} and \end{} tags. If that's not what he meant he can correct me.
 
  • #10


Did you notice that Sylas also said "Try using a LaTeX environment designed to give multiple lines"? The environment is defined by the begin and end commands.

But your question is still valid, because in my LEd (LaTeX Editor), I seem to be able to start a new line with \\ anywhere. I guess it only works in some of the environments here.
 
  • #11


i guess i don't understand what an environment is.. can you tell me exactly what i should type to get a line break? thanks
 
  • #12


I just do it the dumb way. I start and end a line one at a time. Why do you want to save the typing of (tex) and (/tex) and have to go through all the trouble to do this. Just start one line, end the line, hit return and start another line. Notice I use ( ) instead [ ] so it won't go to Latex.
 
  • #13


can someone please explain how to insert line break?? please?
i don't understand how to do this, except by starting new latex line everytime i want a break.
thanks
 
  • #14


i tries using yungmans method but this doesn't work, as can be seen from this example...
[tex]testing 123<br /> testing456<br /> testing 678[/tex]
 
  • #15


What exactly do i put into latex so that there is a line break between testing 123 and testing 456?
 
  • #16


[tex]begin{align*}<br /> a & = b + c + c \\<br /> & = b + 2c \\<br /> b & = a - 2c<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]
 
  • #17


Ive been experimenting with latex: am i right in saying that to the only way to get line breaks is to type "begin{align*}" at beginning of latex, then type "\end{align*}" at the end of latex, and also to type "\\" for the exact location of desired line break?
To me (dont know anything about code) this seems like a lot of stuff to type for a simple line break, isn't it?? or is this common?? fyi, I am not insulting latex, i think its great, but in comparison to <br> it seems sort of over the top, no? is there a simpler way to get line break, or is this the simplest way? thank you

[tex]\begin{align*}a = b\\ + c + c = b + 2c \\ b = a - 2c \end{align*}[/tex]

also, in the above latex, why isn't the 3rd line starting at the far left? thanks
 
  • #18


Try this:

[tex] \begin{array}{c}<br /> \sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1\\<br /> F(x) = \int_0^xf(t)dt\\<br /> \sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1<br /> \end{array}[/tex]
 
  • #19


You can also avoid the array thing by putting a paragraph break at the beginning of each line like this:

[tex] \par\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1<br /> \par F(x) = \int_0^xf(t)dt<br /> \par\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1[/tex]
 

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