Left and right subscript

Question

I am trying to put two subscripts at the left and right of a character. For example, something like: _{t} p_{x} where p is in the middle. How do you do this?

Answer 1

There are many tools for scripts:

• For general math scripts before something, use \prescript provided by mathtools package, for better alignment:

  $ \prescript{14}{2}{\mathbf{C}} $

• For large operators, use \sideset from amsmath:

  $ \sideset{_a^b}{'}\sum A_n $

• For chemical equations, use mhchem package:

  \ce{^{227}_{90}Th+}

• For tensors, use tensor package:

  $ M\indices{^a_b^{cd}_e} $
$ \tensor[^a_b^c_d]{M}{^a_b^c_d} $

Please complete this list as you can.

Answer 2

The tensor package will do exactly what you require, and more. For your particular case, you need only type

\tensor[_t]{p}{_x}

Regards

Answer 3

You could use the leftidx package which is capable of producing left and right subscripts and superscripts.

In contrast to using simply consecutive subscripts or superscripts such as in $_{t}p_{x}$ it takes care of adjusting indices to the argument using \vphantom. From its source:

\newcommand\leftidx[3]{%
  {\vphantom{#2}}#1#2#3%
}

Answer 4

Are you doing this in math mode?

$_{t}p_{x}$

should work.

Answer 5

The amsmath package has a \sideset command which lets you put indices at alll four corners of a symbol (even if this symbol itself has limits above/below):

\[  \sideset{_t}{_x}p  = \sideset{^*_*}{^*_*}\prod_*^*  \]