LaTeX Tip: Displaystyle with Bigger Expressions

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the use of the LaTeX command \displaystyle to enhance the display of mathematical expressions. It emphasizes that \displaystyle should be placed at the beginning of expressions to ensure they are rendered larger and more clearly, particularly for sums and limits. The conversation also highlights the utility of the \tfrac command to manage the size of fractions when using \displaystyle, ensuring that they do not appear disproportionately large. Participants share examples demonstrating the effective application of these commands in LaTeX.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with LaTeX syntax
  • Understanding of mathematical notation in LaTeX
  • Knowledge of commands such as \sum, \lim, and \int
  • Experience with formatting equations in LaTeX
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced LaTeX formatting techniques for mathematical documents
  • Learn about the differences between \frac and \dfrac in LaTeX
  • Investigate the impact of display styles on document readability
  • Research best practices for using \tfrac in inline and display math
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, educators, and students who utilize LaTeX for typesetting mathematical documents will benefit from this discussion, particularly those looking to improve the clarity and presentation of their equations.

alexmahone
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Use \displaystyle in the beginning for bigger expressions.

Normal: $\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$

Using \displaystyle: $\displaystyle\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$
 
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Alexmahone said:
Use \displaystyle in the beginning for bigger expressions.

Normal: $\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$

Using \displaystyle: $\displaystyle\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$

We had this same issue on MHF as well.
 
Alexmahone said:
Use \displaystyle in the beginning for bigger expressions.

Normal: $\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$

Using \displaystyle: $\displaystyle\sum\frac{n^5}{2^n}$

The thing is that single dollar sign delimiters $\displaystyle \frac{x}{y}$ are for in-line maths-notation, making it larger means that the maths will foul the text in following lines.
Or make the line spacing irregular, though you have too keep typing for a long time to get test wrapping to test this
 

More uses for \displaystyle . . .\lim{x\to3}\frac{x^2-9}{x-3} . . . . . . . . . . . . . $\lim_{x\to3}\frac{x^2-9}{x-3}$

\displaystyle \lim_{x\to3}\frac{x^2-9}{x-3} . . . $\displaystyle \lim_{x\to3}\frac{x^2-9}{x-3} $sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{1}{n^2} . . . . . . . . . . . . . $\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{1}{n^2}$

\displaystyle \sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{1}{n^2} . . . $\displaystyle \sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{1}{n^2}$\int^3_1 x^2\,dx . . . . . . . . . . . . $\int^3_1 x^2\,dx $

\displaystyle \int^3_1 x^2\,dx . . . $\displaystyle \int^3_1 x^2\,dx$
If \displaystyle makes a fraction too large:

. . \displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \frac{1}{2}x^3 . . . . $\displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} +\frac{1}{2}x^3$

it can be reduced with \tfrac:

. . \displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \tfrac{1}{2}x^3 . . . $\displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \tfrac{1}{2}x^3$
 
soroban said:
If \displaystyle makes a fraction too large:

. . \displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \frac{1}{2}x^3 . . . . $\displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} +\frac{1}{2}x^3$

it can be reduced with \tfrac:

. . \displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \tfrac{1}{2}x^3 . . . $\displaystyle \frac{x-3}{x+4} + \tfrac{1}{2}x^3$

If you want to displaystyle fractions, it's easier to use the \dfrac{}{} command.

\frac{x+1}{x-1} yields $\frac{x+1}{x-1}$, but \dfrac{x+1}{x-1} yields $\dfrac{x+1}{x-1}$

So in the example you provided, we could say \dfrac{x-3}{x+4} +\frac{1}{2}x^3, which would give $\dfrac{x-3}{x+4}+\frac{1}{2}x^3$ (thus, \tfrac{}{} can be avoided in the inline case). I would say that the \tfrac{}{} option is most useful in scenarios when the rendered code is centered by $$ or \[ (the cases where the equations are automatically displaystyled).
 
Hello, Chris L T521!

I did know all that . . . and didn't get around to explain it,
. . but thanks for clarifying it.I intended the \tfrac feature to be used when \displaystyle must be used.$\displaystyle \text{Here's an example: }\:\int^5_3\frac{x^2-4}{x-2}\,dx$

To produce the large integral sign, I used \displaystyle.
. . It also produced the large fraction.

. . $\displaystyle \int^5_3\frac{(x-2)(x+2)}{x-2}\,dx \;=\;\int^5_3(x+2)\,dx \;=\;\frac{1}{2}x^2 + 2x\,\bigg]^5_3 $To me, the $\dfrac{1}{2}$ seems awkwardly large (but maybe that's just me).
. . I would use \tfrac here.
 

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