Left-Aligning Equations in \texttt{align} Environment

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Dustinsfl
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around formatting equations in the \texttt{align} environment in LaTeX, specifically focusing on left-aligning equations instead of the default right alignment. Participants explore various methods to achieve this aesthetic preference while discussing the implications of different alignment choices.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a method to left-align equations within the \texttt{align} environment.
  • Another participant suggests inserting ampersands to achieve alignment, noting that MathJax parses the environment automatically.
  • There is a discussion about aesthetic preferences, with some participants favoring alignment on the equals sign while others prefer left-hand side alignment of the derivatives.
  • A participant provides an example of how to left-align equations by placing ampersands on the far left.
  • Concerns are raised about the spacing differences between the forum display and PDF output, with a participant asking how to achieve consistent alignment in both formats.
  • Alternative environments such as \texttt{eqnarray*} and \texttt{alignat} are mentioned, though their effectiveness in this context is uncertain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing aesthetic preferences regarding equation alignment, and there is no consensus on the best approach to achieve left alignment in the \texttt{align} environment.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the alignment and spacing may vary between different outputs (forum vs. PDF), which could affect the presentation of equations.

Dustinsfl
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
5
So I want to use begin{align} end{align} but I want my equations to line up on the left not the right.

How can this be done?

\begin{align}
\frac{ds}{dt} = -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2\\
\frac{dc_1}{dt} = k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{dc_2}{dt} = k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{de}{dt} = -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1\\
\frac{dp}{dt} = k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}
 
Physics news on Phys.org
\begin{align}
\frac{ds}{dt} &= -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2\\
\frac{dc_1}{dt} &= k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{dc_2}{dt} &= k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{de}{dt} &= -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1\\
\frac{dp}{dt} &= k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}

Insert ampersands. Incidentally, MathJax automatically parses this environment, so it's probably best not to put too much $\LaTeX$ into your post titles.
 
Ackbach said:
\begin{align}
\frac{ds}{dt} &= -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2\\
\frac{dc_1}{dt} &= k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{dc_2}{dt} &= k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
\frac{de}{dt} &= -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1\\
\frac{dp}{dt} &= k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}

Insert ampersands. Incidentally, MathJax automatically parses this environment, so it's probably best not to put too much $\LaTeX$ into your post titles.

Is there anyway to make it flush? Lines 2 and 3 look ugly.
 
dwsmith said:
Is there anyway to make it flush? Lines 2 and 3 look ugly.

That's a matter of aesthetics. I prefer aligned equations to align on the equals sign. If you prefer to align on the left-hand sides of the derivatives, then put the ampersands on the far left like this:

\begin{align}
&\frac{ds}{dt} = -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2\\
&\frac{dc_1}{dt} = k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
&\frac{dc_2}{dt}= k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
&\frac{de}{dt} = -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1\\
&\frac{dp}{dt} = k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}

I don't like that, but that's how you can do it if you do like it.
 
Ackbach said:
That's a matter of aesthetics. I prefer aligned equations to align on the equals sign. If you prefer to align on the left-hand sides of the derivatives, then put the ampersands on the far left like this:

\begin{align}
&\frac{ds}{dt} = -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2\\
&\frac{dc_1}{dt} = k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
&\frac{dc_2}{dt}= k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2\\
&\frac{de}{dt} = -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1\\
&\frac{dp}{dt} = k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}

I don't like that, but that's how you can do it if you do like it.

\begin{align}
&\frac{ds}{dt} & = & -k_1es + (k_{-1} - k_3)c_1 + k_{-3}c_2,\\
&\frac{dc_1}{dt} & = & k_1se - (k_{-1} + k_2 + k_3s)c_1 + (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2,\\
&\frac{dc_2}{dt} & = & k_3sc_1 - (k_{-3} + k_4)c_2,\\
&\frac{de}{dt} & = & -k_1se + (k_{-1} + k_2)c_1,\\
&\frac{dp}{dt} & = & k_2c_2 + k_4c_2
\end{align}

On my pdf document, the space between the derivatives and equal sign is about 2in but on the forum it is about a 1/2in. How can I get my pdf file to align like this?
 
Use eqnarray* environment.
 
You can also use alignat but I don't know if this will work here.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K