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How can I fix the vertical spacing between the numerator and the division symbol when entering fractions.

Eg. in the following code, the spacing between a and the division symbol is greater than one between b and the next (lower) division symbol.

\[ x = \dfrac{\dfrac{a}{b}}{c} \]
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First of all, stacking fractions is not a recommended practice. You can use \mathstrut in the denominator of the inner fraction, so it will be raised a bit. – egreg Sep 16 '12 at 21:13
The a in the numerator is higher because you might have something like \[\frac{a}{2}\frac{f}{4}\]. – egreg Sep 16 '12 at 21:49
@egreg I was trying to write \[ \phi = \frac{\dfrac{\text{fuel}}{\text{oxidizer}}} {\left(\dfrac{\text{fuel}}{\text{oxidizer}}\right)_{\text{st}}} \]. I could so something like \[ \phi = \frac{\text{fuel}/\text{oxidizer}} {(\text{fuel}/\text{oxidizer})_{\text{st}}} \] but found the former one easier to read. Later on I try to substitute in the numbers which are in the (a/b)/c form. Also mathstrut worked \[ x = \dfrac{\dfrac{a}{\mathstrut{b}}}{c} \]. – mythealias Sep 16 '12 at 22:29
You might try to use \text{\raisebox{-.4ex}{fuel}} if you really like to reduce the vertical space. – egreg Sep 16 '12 at 22:47
Following egreg's suggestion I found a document which talks about number of recommended practices. Others may find it useful. – mythealias Sep 16 '12 at 22:57

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Playing with math styles:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}

\begin{document}
\[ x
  = \dfrac{\dfrac{a}{b}}{c}
  = \dfrac{\frac{\textstyle a}{\textstyle b}}{c}
  = \dfrac{\frac{a}{b}}{c}
  \equiv \dfrac{\tfrac{a}{b}}{c}
\]
\end{document}

Result

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