HowTo Frame Two Align* Environments Side-by-side

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Introduction

When working with mathematical equations, it's not uncommon to need to display multiple equations side-by-side. However, LaTeX's default align* environment can make it challenging to achieve this layout. In this article, we'll explore how to frame two align* environments side-by-side, providing a clear and concise guide for LaTeX users.

Understanding the Problem

The align* environment is a powerful tool for typesetting mathematical equations. However, when used in isolation, it can be difficult to align multiple equations side-by-side. This is because the align* environment is designed to work with a single equation, and attempting to use it with multiple equations can lead to inconsistent spacing and formatting.

The Solution: Using the minipage Environment

One solution to this problem is to use the minipage environment, which allows you to create a box that can hold a single equation. By using two minipage environments side-by-side, you can create a layout that displays two equations with consistent spacing and formatting.

Here's an example of how to use the minipage environment to frame two align* environments side-by-side:

\documentclass[a4paper,10pt]{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{stix2}% must follow amsmath or arrows get flinky.
\usepackage[g]{esvect}


\begin{document}


\beginminipage}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
\text{Equation 1 \quad & \textThis is a sample equation} \
& \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
\text{Equation 2 \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \
& \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}


\end{document}

In this example, we use two minipage environments side-by-side, each containing a single align* environment. The [b] option is used to specify that the minipage environments should be vertically aligned at the bottom. The \hfill command is used to create a horizontal fill of whitespace between the two minipage environments.

Customizing the Layout

The minipage environment provides a number of options for customizing the layout of your equations. For example, you can use the width option to specify the width of each minipage environment. You can also use the height option to specify the height of each minipage environment.

Here's an example of how to customize the layout of your equations using the minipage environment:

\documentclass[a4paper,10pt]{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{stix2}% must follow amsmath or arrows get flinky.
\usepackage[g]{esvect}


\begin{document}


\beginminipage}[b]{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
\text{Equation 1 \quad & \textThis is a sample equation} \
& \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.7\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
\text{Equation 2 \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \
& \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}


\end{document}

In this example, we use the width option to specify that the first minipage environment should be 30% of the text width, and the second minipage environment should be 70% of the text width.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to frame two align* environments side-by-side using the minipage environment. By using two minipage environments side-by-side, you can create a layout that displays two equations with consistent spacing and formatting. We've also discussed how to customize the layout of your equations using the minipage environment.

Common Issues and Solutions

  • Inconsistent spacing: If you find that the spacing between your equations is inconsistent, try using the alignat environment instead of the align* environment.
  • Equations not aligning: If you find that your equations are not aligning properly, try using the alignat environment instead of the align* environment.
  • Width of equations not matching: If you find that the width of your equations is not matching, try using the width option to specify the width of each minipage environment.

Additional Resources

  • LaTeX documentation: For more information on the minipage environment, see the LaTeX documentation.
  • StackExchange: For more information on LaTeX and the minipage environment, see the StackExchange LaTeX community.
  • LaTeX tutorials: For more information on LaTeX and the minipage environment, see the LaTeX tutorials on the LaTeX website.

Final Thoughts

Q: What is the purpose of the minipage environment?

A: The minipage environment is used to create a box that can hold a single equation. By using two minipage environments side-by-side, you can create a layout that displays two equations with consistent spacing and formatting.

Q: How do I use the minipage environment to frame two align* environments side-by-side?

A: To use the minipage environment to frame two align* environments side-by-side, you can use the following code:

\begin{minipage}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 1:} \quad & \text{This is a sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 2:} \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}

Q: How do I customize the layout of my equations using the minipage environment?

A: To customize the layout of your equations using the minipage environment, you can use the following options:

  • width: specifies the width of each minipage environment
  • height: specifies the height of each minipage environment
  • align: specifies the alignment of each minipage environment (e.g. t for top, b for bottom, c for center)

For example:

\begin{minipage}[b]{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 1:} \quad & \text{This is a sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.7\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 2:} \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}

Q: What are some common issues that can arise when using the minipage environment?

A: Some common issues that can arise when using the minipage environment include:

  • Inconsistent spacing between equations
  • Equations not aligning properly
  • Width of equations not matching

To resolve these issues, you can try using the alignat environment instead of the align* environment, or adjusting the width and height of the minipage environments.

Q: Where can I find more information on the minipage environment?

A: For more information on the minipage environment, you can consult the LaTeX documentation, or visit the StackExchange LaTeX community. You can also find tutorials and examples on the LaTeX website.

Q: Can I use the minipage environment to frame more than two equations side-by-side?

A: Yes, you can use the minipage environment to frame more than two equations side-by-side. Simply add more minipage environments, each containing a single equation, and adjust the width and height of the minipage environments as needed.

For example:

\begin{minipage}[b]{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 1:} \quad & \text{This is a sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 2:} \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}\hfill
\begin{minipage}[b]{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{align*}
  \text{Equation 3:} \quad & \text{This is another sample equation} \\
  & \text{that demonstrates the use of the align* environment.}
\end{align*}
\end{minipage}

I hope this Q&A article has been helpful in providing a clear and concise guide for LaTeX users.