# How to achieve correct spacing for arithmetic/geometric sequences?

I want to typeset some sequences/progressions. I'm trying (in math mode):

x_1 = 2.3, x_{n+1} = x_n - 0.7 (n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots)


but the spacing is much too tight when this is typeset. For example LaTeX interprets the term showing the progression of n as a coefficient of -0.7. I understand why this is happening but don't know how to stop it.

What is the correct way to typeset sequences/progressions in LaTeX?

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Welcome to TeX.SE. I'd add a \, to add a bit more space: $x_1 = 2.3,\, x_{n+1} = x_n - 0.7\, (n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots)$. –  Peter Grill Nov 4 '12 at 18:55
Thanks Peter. That's doing the trick but I have to add a lot to make it look right so I've used \hspace{10 mm} instead. But that seems like the kind of approach LaTeX usually discourages so I'm still holding out hope for a neater solution :) –  Garry Cairns Nov 4 '12 at 19:07
i'd set this as $x_1 = 2.3$, $x_{n+1} = x_n - 0.7$ $(n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots)$ to allow both more space and the ability of the line to break in "harmless" places when it happens to fall in the last part of a line and would be too long.