Strikeout in math mode

Question

How can I strikeout words in math mode (similar to \sout with \usepackage{ulem} in text mode)? I've tried \usepackage{cancel} and \(\cancel{1+1=2}\) but that draws a diagonal line.

Answer 1

Use something like

\sout{$a^2+b^2=c^2$}

or

\[
  \hbox{\sout{$a^2+b^2$}}=c^2
\]

And you can of course define a command for convenience.

Answer 2

Works in math and text mode

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{calc}
\newsavebox\CBox
\newcommand\hcancel[2][0.5pt]{%
  \ifmmode\sbox\CBox{$#2$}\else\sbox\CBox{#2}\fi%
  \makebox[0pt][l]{\usebox\CBox}%  
  \rule[0.5\ht\CBox-#1/2]{\wd\CBox}{#1}}
\begin{document}

\hcancel{Test}
\hcancel[2pt]{Test}

\end{document}

Answer 3

version 2 (fine remark from Martin)

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage{xcolor,cancel}

\newcommand\hcancel[2][black]{\setbox0=\hbox{$#2$}%
\rlap{\raisebox{.45\ht0}{\textcolor{#1}{\rule{\wd0}{1pt}}}}#2} 

\begin{document}

\[
  x+\hcancel[red]{ \sum_a \mathcal{D}^a\mathcal{D}_a}=2x+ \sum_a \mathcal{D}^a\mathcal{D}_a+3 
\]

\end{document}