# Type multiline equation in a table in LaTeX

Who knows the way to write a multiline equation in a table? I am using the code below:

\begin{table}
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|c| c| c|}
\hline %inserts horizontal line

&f1& f2 \\ [0.5ex]
\hline
a& b& c\\ \hline
d& e & f  \hline
\end{tabular}
\label{label 1}
\end{table}


But b and e are two or maybe three line equations. How can I write them in my table?

-

## migrated from stackoverflow.comJul 11 '12 at 11:11

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

use a p-column instead of c –  Herbert Jul 11 '12 at 11:11
Welcome to TeX.sx! Your question was migrated here from Stack Overflow. Please register on this site, too, and make sure that both accounts are associated with each other (by using the same OpenID), otherwise you won't be able to comment on or accept answers or edit your question. –  Werner Jul 11 '12 at 13:49

\documentclass[letterpaper]{article}
\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb}
\begin{document}
\begin{table}
\centering
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.3}
\begin{tabular}{|c| c| c|}
\hline %inserts horizontal line
&f1& f2 \\[0.5ex]
\hline
a& $\begin{array} {lcl} f(x) & = & (a+b)^2 \\ & = & a^2+2ab+b^2 \end{array}$ & c\\
\hline
d& $\begin{array} {r@{}l@{}} f(x) & {}= (a+b)^2 \\ & {}= a^2+2ab+b^2 \end{array}$ & f\\    \hline
g& \begin{aligned} f(x) & = (a+b)^2 \\ & = a^2+2ab+b^2 \end{aligned} &h \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\label{label 1}
\end{table}
\end{document}


The above code yields:

I know it is not the best but I hope it answers your question. I edited the answer as per Peter Grill's suggestion. It is a better math display.

-
You can obtain proper math spacing with $\begin{array} {r@{}l@{}} f(x) & {}= (a+b)^2 \\ & {}= a^2+2ab+b^2 \end{array}$, or just \begin{aligned} f(x) & = (a+b)^2 \\ & = a^2+2ab+b^2 \end{aligned}. –  Peter Grill Aug 10 '12 at 19:15

I think that \displaystyle is what you're looking for:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
a& b& c\\
$v=mv^2/2$ & $\frac{mv^2}{2}$ & $\displaystyle \frac{mv^2}{2}$
\end{tabular}

\end{document}

-
I don't think that \dfrac is standard LaTeX, is it? –  Norman Gray Aug 10 '12 at 15:31
\dfrac is the same thing as \displaystyle \frac{}{}. –  azetina Aug 10 '12 at 15:35
@NormanGray -- \dfrac requires the use of the amsmath package. –  barbara beeton Aug 10 '12 at 19:44