# How to force equation to be closer to the sum operator?

I would like to know if it is possible to force the equation to be closer to the operation sum? When there are a lot of subscript under the sum operator, it tends to pouch the equation to the right, and this is not very aesthetic.

\sum_{n\in N_{-i}}\sum_{\substack{j \in N_{-i} \\ j \neq n}}v_j

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The first part of following code shows the problem you mentioned and the "standard" possible solutions for a single sum: using a \makebox or using \mathclap (from the mathtools package).

Next I present your concrete example and several variations; now, only using \mathclap makes things worst since the subscripts overlap; using \mathclap and adding some space between the sums could be an option, but I think the best solution would be the last one in which the amount of symbols used in the subscripts has been reduced:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mathtools}

\setlength\parindent{0pt}

\begin{document}

No special treatment (ugly):
$\sum_{1\leq i < j < k \leq n}a_{ijk}$

Using a \verb!\makebox!:
$\sum_{\makebox[0pt]{\scriptstyle 1\leq i < j < k \leq n}}a_{ijk}$

Using \verb!\mathclap! (requires the \texttt{mathtools} package):
$\sum_{\mathclap{1\leq i < j < k \leq n}}a_{ijk}$

$\sum_{n \in N_{-i}}\sum_{\substack{j \in N_{-i} \\ j \neq n}}v_j$

Your concrete example using \verb!\mathclap! (uglier since scripts overlap):
$\sum_{n \in N_{-i}}\sum_{\mathclap{\substack{j \in N_{-i} \\ j \neq n}}}v_j$

Your concrete example using \verb!\mathclap! and some space between the sums (a little better?):
$\sum_{n \in N_{-i}}\mkern13mu\sum_{\mathclap{\substack{j \in N_{-i} \\ j \neq n}}}v_j$

Your concrete example reformulated (better, when possible):
$\sum_{n}\sum_{ j \neq n}v_j,$
where $n$ and $j$ run over $N_{-i}$.

\end{document}


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I wish it was that simple, sadely the notation \in N_{-i} is necessary in order to differenciate from n \in N – Bibi541 Aug 18 '12 at 1:22
Thank you very much for your help, though. It was very well written and detailed. I will remember those function if I ever encounter this problem. sadely, it seem that for this particular one, there isnt one. – Bibi541 Aug 18 '12 at 1:23
Actually, by applying it to my non-double sum terms, I was able to gain enough space, which was my initial problem and rose the question. So this was indeed useful :) – Bibi541 Aug 18 '12 at 1:31