[Tex/LaTex] Emulate \hfill in LaTeX equations

alignequationshorizontal alignment

I have a set of equations, where each line consists of a formula and an explanation (info about indices). Now, let's say the structure looks like this:

\newcommand{\lw}{\linewidth}
\begin{align*}
    &\framebox[0.4\lw]{Formula 1} & \framebox[0.3\lw]{Info 1}& \\
    &\framebox[0.7\lw]{Formula 1} & \framebox[0.1\lw]{Info 1}& \\
    &\framebox[0.5\lw]{Formula 1} & \framebox[0.2\lw]{Info 1}&
\end{align*}

This results in two columns of widths 0.7\lw and 0.3\lw, so the equation will be too wide for the page: output of the example code (too wide)

Yet, no single line is wider than 0.8\lw, so there is enough space if the two columns could "slide into each other", like this: desired output

In essence, I need some equiv. of \hfill between the two parts – but \hfill does not work here…

My question is whether there is a way to do this, i.e. to create a flexible space that would keep the left and right aligns. Note that the first align would typically be somewhere inside the formula, not in front of it.

Best Answer

I wouldn't put the conditions flush right, but if you really insist, you can use flalign:

\begin{flalign*}
\qquad A&=\mathrlap{B} &\text{condition}\\
\qquad C&=\mathrlap{D} &\text{cond}\\
\qquad E&=\mathrlap{F} &\text{some longer condition}
\end{flalign*}

Change the \qquad into some other spacing command that suits your needs.

This needs the package mathtools

Related Solutions

[Tex/LaTex] Trouble with multicol

The problem is the array, eqnarray or align environments cannot be broken up across columns. If you added enough equations to the align environment in your example, the equations would overflow the margin (you would get an overfull \vbox error message). In general, LaTeX does not break formula environments, either across columns or pages. I must add, though, that including \allowdisplaybreaks in your preamble will permit LaTeX to break up the formula environments. So, I have two rough solutions here:

First suggestion: include \allowdisplaybreaks in your preamble with your existing code. The equations should distribute fairly nicely across your three columns.

Another suggestion would be to use the array environment to create three columns, for instance:

\[\begin{array}{l l l}
...
\end{array}\]

Within the array columns, you can also create an align environment for each equation you want write.

Here's a rough and ready example of a possible solution using array (Note: you have to load the array package):

\[
\begin{array}{ l >{\quad}l >{\quad}l >{\quad}l }
2.1 a)  
    &
\ddot{x} = \frac{1}{m}\left(F_0+ct\right)   
        &
\dot{x} = \int_{0}^{t}\frac{1}{m}\left(F_0+ct\right)\,dt = \dfrac{F_0}{m}t+\dfrac{c}{2m}t^2
            &
x = \int_{0}^{t}\left(\dfrac{F_0}{m}t+\dfrac{c}{2m}t^2\right)\\[6mm]

2.1 a)
    &
\ddot{x} = \frac{1}{m}\left(F_0+ct\right)   
        &
\dot{x} = \int_{0}^{t}\frac{1}{m}\left(F_0+ct\right)\,dt = \dfrac{F_0}{m}t+\dfrac{c}{2m}t^2
            &
x = \int_{0}^{t}\left(\dfrac{F_0}{m}t+\dfrac{c}{2m}t^2\right)\\

\end{array}\]

This is elegant, simple and not too time-consuming.

[Tex/LaTex] Aligned equations in LaTeX

Instead of aligned, I would suggest an align environment; \notag can be used to suppress the tag for selected lines; the alignment for the second line can be produced with the help of a \phantom:

\documentclass[10pt]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{amsmath, amsthm, amssymb}
\usepackage[ansinew]{inputenc}

\begin{document}
\begin{align}
\alpha &= 1 + 2     \\
&\phantom{{}=1}-3 + 4 \notag\\
&= 4 \\
&=5-1,
\end{align}

\end{document}

enter image description here

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[Tex/LaTex] Trouble with multicol

[Tex/LaTex] Aligned equations in LaTeX

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