# Writing a limit so that the subscript goes directly underneath

When I write $\lim_{x \rightarrow p} f(x) = q$, the subscript x \rightarrow p appears to the right of the limit, instead of directly underneath it.

When I try $\displaystyle \lim_{x \rightarrow p} f(x) = q$, the subscript of the limit takes up extra space, making the line taller than usual and creating an awkward extra space underneath everything else...

Is there a way to write limits in-line with the subscript underneath, and everything squished to the normal height of the line its in?

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One way would be to use \scalebox from the graphicx package to rescale the version obtained by \displaystyle. Here is a comparison of the usual inline version of \lim and the scaled version:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{xcolor}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\newcommand{\Text}{\noindent Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet }

\newcommand{\Lim}[1]{\raisebox{0.5ex}{\scalebox{0.8}{$\displaystyle \lim_{#1}\;$}}}

\usepackage{graphicx}
\begin{document}
\Text
$\textcolor{blue}{\lim_{x \rightarrow p} f(x) = q}$
\Text
$\textcolor{red}{\Lim{x \rightarrow p} f(x) = q}$
\Text
\end{document}

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Would it be easy to turn this into a macro which I can use every time I write a limit? –  jamaicanworm Dec 27 '11 at 2:10
@jamaicanworm: Updated solution to use macro version. –  Peter Grill Dec 27 '11 at 2:14
One might ask which one is worse: enlarging the interline spacing or printing an ugly symbol. I'll keep with the standard TeX way of typesetting the limit. :) –  egreg Dec 27 '11 at 11:21

I'm not sure if this is squished enough for you but the amsmath package allows you to put something under something else through the \underset command:

\documentclass[11pt]{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\pagestyle{empty}
\begin{document}
$\underset{x \to \infty}{\lim}$
\end{document}

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Thanks, but unfortunately this has the same problem as with the \displaymode solution--the limit with its superscript becomes taller than anything else on that line, adding extra margin space beneath the whole line. –  jamaicanworm Dec 27 '11 at 1:17
Sorry. Actually, the amsmath documentation explains (pg 20) that's why subscripts are placed to the side. I just change my default spacing between lines so it doesn't look bad. –  DJP Dec 27 '11 at 1:24

I have used the following which puts x -> y under the limit.

\lim\limit_{x \to y}

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This is a correct answer from a TeXnical point of view, but the typographical result is a disaster. –  egreg Nov 23 '14 at 21:47
Welcome to TeX.SX! You can have a look at our starter guide to familiarize yourself further with our format. –  Pier Paolo Nov 23 '14 at 21:48
Isn't it \limits btw? –  yo' Nov 23 '14 at 21:53