How can I write 2^((n-1)/3) or anything similar in LaTeX? I am new to the whole thing, but I tried giving it a shot and it doesn't look the way I want it too. It looks like I am taking the 2 to the power of parenthesis, which is silly.
[Tex/LaTex] How would one have an equation for an exponent
equations
Related Solutions
Do a \begin{align*} ... \end{align*}. That should do the trick.
Here's one way (taken some code from Input manually a number into \eqref):
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}% http://ctan.org/pkg/
\makeatletter
\newcommand{\eqnum}{\refstepcounter{equation}\textup{\tagform@{\theequation}}}
\makeatother
\begin{document}
\begin{equation}
f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \label{myeqn1}
\end{equation}
See~\eqref{myeqn1}. Also
\begin{itemize}
\item $A$ is very~$b$, \eqnum\label{myeqn2}
\item $A$ is not~$c$. \eqnum\label{myeqn3}
\end{itemize}
There is also~\eqref{myeqn2} and~\eqref{myeqn3}.
\end{document}
The above MWE provides \eqnum which inserts the equation number using the amsmath \eqref way. A subsequent \label makes one able to reference it. Of course, the print-and\label technique could be combined, if needed:
\makeatletter
\newcommand{\eqlab}[1]{\refstepcounter{equation}\label{#1}\textup{\tagform@{\theequation}}}
\makeatother
which allows one to use \eqlab{<label>}.
For flushed-right equation numbering, use the following definition:
\newcommand{\eqnum}{\leavevmode\hfill\refstepcounter{equation}\textup{\tagform@{\theequation}}}
Best Answer
Just to give a little closure...
Depends on what you want. As egreg said, you can go by
$2^{(n-1)/3}$...or you could also try using
\frac{numerator}{denominator}, as in$2^{\frac{n-1}{3}}$