Index ordering when using math symbols

Question

I'm making an index where certain entries start with the math symbols $k$, $\mathcal{C}$, $\ast$-a.... In the first two cases, I want them to appear in the index as if they start with k and c respectively. In the last case I want the index to ignore $\ast$- and treat the word as if it begins with the letter a.

How might I go about doing that?

Answer 1

you need to give these entries a sort field. you've actually chosen the easiest approach, sorting them in with the alphabetic entries. egreg has provided good examples for the first two:

\index{k@$k$} and \index{c@$\mathcal{C}$}

my suggestion for the * is

\index{a sterisk@$\ast$

including a space after the a to make sure it sorts at the beginning.

i've been compiling a set of notes on how to prepare a "clean" index, presenting tactics for avoiding all the problems i've seen in my experience as author technical support for the ams; when it's ready for general consumption, it will be posted on the ams web site for general reference, and i'll update this answer with a link.