Vertically asymmetric matrices

Question

I am noticing an odd problem with LaTeX that causes matrices and arrays that I compile to have a whitespace gap at the top of the array. When I use the same code as others online, I produce different results. I suspect this may be an adverse consequence of packages I have installed, but I am not sure where to begin.

I would post a picture, but I was rejected by this website from posting an image....

\begin{equation}
\setlength{\extrarowheight}{0.3cm}
\label{objective}
\left[
\begin {array}{ccc}
9&13&17\\
\noalign{\medskip}
14&18&22
\end {array}
\right]
\end{equation}

The post on vertical asymmetric size variation for parentheses does not solve this issue, though it does allow me to create whitespace at the bottom also. However, this does not eliminate the undesired whitespace gap at the top.

---

I solved my problem. Maybe it serves as an additional answer to the related questions on this site.

Using the \arraystretch command is an easy way to tune the vertical whitespace in arrays. The following code is an example.

\begin{equation}
\setlength{\extrarowheight}{0.3cm}
\label{objective}
\left[
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{.4}
\begin {array}{ccc}
9&13&17\\
\noalign{\medskip}
14&18&22
\end {array}
\right]
\end{equation}

Answer 1

\listfiles
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}

\begin{equation}\label{objective}
\begin {bmatrix}
 9 & 13 & 17\\
14 & 18 & 22
\end {bmatrix}
\end{equation}

\begin{equation}
\begin {bmatrix}
 9 & 13 & 17\\[\bigskipamount]
14 & 18 & 22
\end {bmatrix}
%
\def\arraystretch{2}
\begin {bmatrix}
 9 & 13 & 17\\
14 & 18 & 22
\end {bmatrix}
\end{equation}

\end{document}