Which Command to Use for Spacing in LaTeX?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate commands and methods for adding spacing between words in LaTeX, particularly in the context of mixing text and mathematical expressions. Participants explore various approaches to achieve the desired formatting in both inline and display modes.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the correct command for spacing, suggesting \vspace or \haspace, and seeks clarification on their usage.
  • Another participant questions the specific context of the spacing request, asking if the intention is to have spaces in a mathematical environment.
  • A participant expresses that their output lacks spaces between words and requests a solution to this issue.
  • Several options are proposed, including placing the formula within the $$-signs only, using \text{} mode within the math environment, or manually adding spaces with backslashes.
  • A participant shares their attempt using the verbatim environment, noting it allows for spaces but results in the equation appearing on a new line.
  • Another participant suggests a simpler approach without the verbatim environment, questioning if a specific class file might be causing issues.
  • Clarification is provided regarding the document class line in LaTeX, which is essential for proper formatting.
  • A later reply recommends using equation environments like 'equation' or 'align' for better formatting of mathematical expressions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single method for achieving the desired spacing, as multiple approaches are discussed and some participants express continued difficulties with implementation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention issues related to the document class and formatting environments, indicating that the success of the proposed solutions may depend on specific LaTeX configurations.

MathematicalPhysicist
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I have this problem, I want to write with spacings between words, but don't know which command to use, is it:
\vspace
or \haspace and where to place it?

here's the code (disregard what is written there (-: ):
Code:
\begin{dcoument}

$$ Let's define a quasi-function, as a function defined by a series as: f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}
$$

\end{document}

Thanks in advance.
 
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I don't think I understand the question: where do you want the spaces? Do you want to write words in a maths environment and have spaces between the words?
 
Yes, the file that I get from the above code is displayed in one sentence without any spaces between the words, I would like to know how to fix this.

Thanks in advance.
 
Two possibilities:

1) Only write the formula within the $$-signs:
Let's define a quasi-function, as a function defined by a series as: $$f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}$$

2) Use the \text{} mode within the $$-signs:
$$ \text{Let's define a quasi-function, as a function defined by a series as:} f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}$$
 
A third option, if you really want the words to be formatted the same as the maths,

$$ Let's\ define\ a\ quasi-function,\ as\ a\ function\ defined\ by\ a\ series\ as:\ f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}$$I would advise you to use one of the options Edgardo gives you, though, since that's the usual way to format things.
 
I used both your approaches, but with with no success, eventually, what I tried is this code:
Code:
\begin{document}
\begin{verbatim}
Let's define a quasi-function, as a function defined by a series as:\end{verbatim}$f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}$

\end{document}
which is better than my other attmepts, now the problem is that in this way the equation is typed beneath the sentence, is there any way to write such that the equation and the sentence before it will be typed in the same line?

P.s this way I indeed have the spaces between the words, because it's in a typstting form.
 
If you type something like

\begin{document}

Let's define a quasi-function, as a function defined by a series as:
$f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}$

\end{document}

then it should work. You don't need to use the verbatim environment for everything that you want to write. Are you using a weird class file, or something?
 
I tried it your way, cristo, but this way it only prints the equation.
I don't follow though, what is a 'class file'?
 
At the top of your latex file, you will have a line that looks something like

\documentclass{xxx}

where xxx is the name of the class file. The most common class file is "article", but there are different class files for different purposes (journal papers, theses, etc..). So, what does the documentclass line look like in your file?
 
  • #10
Please try the following basic example and tell us if the spacing is ok or not...

Code:
\documentclass[a4paper,11pt]{article}

\author{me myself}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}
Just plain text with no formulas...
\end{document}
 
  • #11
Ok, now it works, I guess it didn't work before because I didn't type \documentclass.
 
  • #12
I think in this situation you should use one of the equation environments like 'equation' or 'align' instead of using inline math mode like this $\lambda$ symbol,

\begin{equation}
f(x)=\sum{b_n f_n(x)}
\end{equation}
 

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