LaTeX Improve Your Typesetting: Using \vphantom and \phantom in LaTeX

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The discussion centers on the use of \vphantom and \phantom in LaTeX for improving typesetting, particularly in the context of rendering derivatives. Users express frustration with the vertical alignment of the differential symbols when using \vphantom, noting that it does not lift them as expected. It is pointed out that the issue may stem from MathJax rather than LaTeX itself, as LaTeX renders correctly in PDF format. A user mentions contacting a MathJax developer to address the alignment problem, and there is a suggestion to explore different output mechanisms in MathJax. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges of achieving precise typesetting in mathematical expressions.
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I found (nitpicking, I agree -- but that's what ##\TeX## does to you :smile:)$$
{dr\over dt} = {dr\over d\phi}{d\phi\over dt}$$ looking ugly and want to lift the two dr . However,

{dr\over dt} = {\vphantom {\phi} dr\over d\phi}{d\phi\over dt} didn't deliver as I expect:
$$
{\vphantom {\phi dr } dr\over dt} = {\vphantom {\phi} dr\over d\phi}{d\phi\over dt}$$ where omitting the \vphantom does take care of the lifting :
$$
{ dr\over dt} = {{\phi} \ dr\over d\phi}{d\phi\over dt}$$ (but I of course don't want the ##\phi##)
anyone have a tip how to get this done ?

PS the ordinary \phantom does work as I expect -- vertically as well as horizontally:
$$
{\phantom {\phi } dr\over dt} = {\phantom {\phi} dr\over d\phi}{d\phi\over dt}$$
 
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Excellent ! Thanks doc !

\frac {\vphantom {\phi} dr} {dt} = \frac {\vphantom {\phi} dr} {d\phi} \frac {d\phi} {dt} does the trick

$$\frac {\vphantom {\phi} dr} {dt} = \frac {\vphantom {\phi} dr} {d\phi} \frac {d\phi} {dt}$$
and leaves me wondering why \over doesn't behave like that ...
 
Have to recant: also with \frac the d from ##dr## is sitting lower than the d from ##d\phi## which I find ugly.
Equally below the line: ##dt## is below ##d\phi##

It's not much but annoying. See post #1.
 
BvU said:
Have to recant: also with \frac the d from ##dr## is sitting lower than the d from ##d\phi## which I find ugly.
Equally below the line: ##dt## is below ##d\phi##

It's not much but annoying. See post #1.
Are you talking on screen? Then it must be a problem in MathJax. LaTeX renders the equation correctly without vphantom.
 
DrClaude said:
Are you talking on screen? Then it must be a problem in MathJax. LaTeX renders the equation correctly without vphantom.
I agree, I just did both in TeXnicenter and they are identical in the pdf file...
 
Yes, on screen. Both Chrome and IE11.
Haven't explored these other environments yet.
 
MathJax issue, not LaTeX issue...
 
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  • #10
I see your point: wrong forum o0)
I'll have to get used to it -- an imperfect world :rolleyes:
 
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  • #11
Have tried http://beta.mathjax.org/mathjax/latest/test/sample-dynamic-2.html -- doesn't show the problem I see on PF. No need to juggle with \vphantom indeed.
Is that link using MathJaX or is it faithful to ##\LaTeX## ?

Anyone know where to find a legible summary of MathJaX limitations ?

Could it be this isn't a MathJaX issue but a MathJaX implementation issue ? @jtbell, @Greg Bernhardt ?

\vphantom itself works alright: with \vphantom\int I can lift the d (more than I need for alignment with ##d\phi##), but with \vphantom\phi it doesn't lift it enough to come to the same height as ##d\phi##
 
  • #12
Sorry, I'm not familiar with the detailed ins/outs of LaTeX and MathJax. I'm basically at the "Primer" level. :frown:
 
  • #14
Peter from MathJax here.

I have opened https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax/issues/1692 to track this on our end.

> Have tried http://beta.mathjax.org/mathjax/latest/test/sample-dynamic-2.html -- doesn't show the problem I see on PF.

That page uses another output mechanism (the older HTML-CSS output). The SVG output (which you can try using the MathJax menu) also does not exhibit the problem AFAICS.
 
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