# How can I superimpose a summation operator with its following character?

How can I create the following symbol?

PS: It is not the classic \sum_{i=0}^n k

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Will the "k" be a constant symbol, or can it vary? –  Gonzalo Medina Mar 9 '14 at 0:20
@Gonzalo Medina, "k" can vary..! –  mle Mar 9 '14 at 0:23
@ГарнакОлэговытц It is not ideal. With \usepackage{mathtools} , you can do \mathrlap{\sum_{i=0}^n} \;\;\; \text{\scriptsize k}. –  Aung Mar 9 '14 at 0:31
just curious, what are you using this symbol to mean? –  Oxinabox Mar 9 '14 at 3:51

At \scriptscriptstyle the output is not satisfying, but I don't think you need it.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}

\makeatletter
\def\mov@rlay#1#2{\leavevmode\vtop{%
\baselineskip\z@skip \lineskiplimit-\maxdimen
\ialign{\hfil$\m@th#1##$\hfil\cr#2\crcr}}}
\newcommand{\charfusion}[3][\mathord]{
#1{\ifx#1\mathop\vphantom{#2}\fi
\mathpalette\mov@rlay{#2\cr#3}
}
\ifx#1\mathop\expandafter\displaylimits\fi}

\newcommand{\sumk}{\charfusion[\mathop]{\sum}{\innerk}}

\newcommand{\innerk}{%
\mathchoice
{\mbox{\fontsize\f@size{0}\normalfont\ k}}
{\mbox{\fontsize\sf@size{0}\normalfont\ k}}
{\mbox{\fontsize\ssf@size{0}\normalfont\ k}}
{\mbox{\tiny\normalfont\ k}}%
}
\makeatother

\begin{document}
$\sumk\textstyle\sumk\scriptstyle\sumk\scriptscriptstyle\sumk$

$\sumk_{i=1}^{n} a_{i}$
\end{document}


(see my answer to Mathematical symbol for disjoint set union)

A different implementation, where the inner symbol is given as argument.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}

\makeatletter
\newcommand{\sumk}[1]{\mathop{\vphantom{\sum}\mathpalette\sum@k{#1}}}
\newcommand{\sum@k}[2]{%
\ooalign{%
\sum@k@vc{#1}{\sum}\cr
\hidewidth\sum@k@vc{\sum@k@next{#1}}{\mkern8mu#2}\hidewidth\cr}%
}
\newcommand{\sum@k@vc}[2]{%
$\vcenter{\hbox{$\m@th#1#2$}}$%
}
\newcommand{\sum@k@next}[1]{%
\ifx#1\displaystyle\displaystyle\fi
\ifx#1\textstyle\scriptstyle\fi
\ifx#1\scriptstyle\scriptscriptstyle\fi
\ifx#1\scriptscriptstyle\scriptscriptstyle\fi
}
\makeatother

\begin{document}
$\sumk{k}_{i=1}^n\textstyle\sumk{h}\scriptstyle\sumk{r}$
\end{document}


-
Since the "k" it's a variable (see OP's comment to the question), perhaps a version with an (optional) argument would be better? –  Gonzalo Medina Mar 9 '14 at 0:42
@GonzaloMedina It's quite easy. One should also know what style is needed: is it a variable or text? –  egreg Mar 9 '14 at 9:43
@egreg, fantastic implementation ;), very good! :) –  mle Mar 11 '14 at 23:02
% arara: pdflatex

\documentclass{article}
%\newcommand{\inSum}[1]{\mkern-15mu #1} % if you use that often, you can write \sum_{i=0}^{n}\inSum{j} or alike. Works only in in display math.

\begin{document}
$$\sum_{i=0}^{n}\mkern-16mu \mathrm{k} = \dots$$
\end{document}


The \mathrm{} sets the letter in upright style. You may want to take this away, as k can vary and thus is a variable (italic).

Play around with the -16mu to other values, until you like it.

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.. wow, good, great, fantastic! Thanks soo much! :) ;) –  mle Mar 9 '14 at 0:36

This makes an operator that will do what you wish, with a parameterized style that allows any letter to be put inside the summation:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsopn}
\newcommand{\suminside}[1]{\operatorname*{\sum \mkern-14mu \makebox[0.77em][l]{\footnotesize #1}}}

\begin{document}

$$\suminside{k}_{i=0}^n a_i = 1$$

$$\suminside{d}_{i=0}^n a_i = 2$$

\centering
Inline displays as $$\suminside{k}_{i=0}^n a_i = 2$$.

\end{document}


appears as:

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An adjustment will be needed when it's used in in-line maths. –  Gonzalo Medina Mar 9 '14 at 0:46
The spacing is not perfect when in-line; limits do behave as they should. This seems to be because of the way the sigma displays differently at the smaller size. –  cslstr Mar 9 '14 at 1:20