# In-line long division symbol (French style)

I am looking for long division symbol for inline use. For US style there are several choices.

For displayed long division, French style, there is xlop package.

I am looking for the inline version, French style, which, for $x \div y$, would look something like an $x\ L y$ with $y$ inside $L$.

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Almost the opposite of How to Produce a Half-Box Symbol? –  Werner Dec 14 '13 at 18:31

I'd use an array without intercolumn space:

\documentclass{article}

\newcommand{\frenchdiv}[2]{%
#1\:\begin{array}[t]{@{\vline}l@{}}\,#2\,\\\hline\end{array}%
}

\begin{document}
$\frenchdiv{84}{7}=12$
\end{document}


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What is \vline? Is it similar to |? From your code I understand it is being used as a column separator, right? –  azetina Dec 14 '13 at 19:15
@azetina Using \vline avoids undesirable spaces. –  egreg Dec 14 '13 at 20:17

Just for fun. Of course the link @Werner gave you is a good start. Notice that what I did was just to play around with someone else's code. See MWE below:

\documentclass{article}

\newcommand\frenchdiv[2]{%
$\strut#1$\kern.25em\smash{\raise-.35ex\hbox{\rule{0.4pt}{2ex}}}$\mkern-0.72mu \underline{\,#2}$}

\begin{document}

\end{document}


Taking now the following code an playing around with the node anchors, we have the following MWE:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

\newcommand\nfrenchdiv[2]{#1\,%
\tikz[baseline=(n.base)]{\node(n)[inner sep=1pt]{$#2$};
\draw[line cap=round](n.north west)--(n.south west)--(n.south east);
}
}

\begin{document}

$\nfrenchdiv{56}{3678}$

\end{document}


Note that this command may not be robust. So, wait for other possible responses and choose the best that suites your needs.

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