# How to produce blank in math mode?

I want to type a matrix [x y] with a blank between the x and y. But in mathmode it will shrink the black between x and y. What is the easiest resolution around this?

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\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\begin{document}
$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} x & & y \\ \end{array} \right]$
\end{document}


As suggested in comments bmatrix with various spaces:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\begin{document}
$\begin{bmatrix} x & & y \\ \end{bmatrix}$
$\begin{bmatrix} x\, & \,y \\ \end{bmatrix}$
$\begin{bmatrix} x & y \\ \end{bmatrix}$
\end{document}


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I'd also suggest just using x & y , which yields the correct spacing, or using the bmatrix environment. –  Peter Grill Jan 14 '13 at 0:37
Rather than use the array environment, which features rather profligate spacing (in my opinion) between array elements and between the first and last array elements and the surrounding "fences" (whether square brackets or round parentheses), I'd recommend using environments such as bmatrix (for "matrix with brackets") and pmatrix ("matrix with parentheses"). E.g., $\begin{bmatrix} x & y \end{bmatrix}$ might do the job. –  Mico Jan 14 '13 at 0:41
@PeterGrill: thanks for this nice and elegant solution! –  minimax Jan 14 '13 at 0:43