# Missing $inserted Error I am trying to use the CRPS formula in Latex and I am very new to it. I am getting a Missing$ inserted error from the equation below. I know it's a common problem, but I haven't been able to solve it. Please help!

CRPS = \int_{-\infty }^{\infty }
\left [ F_{y\right}\left (y \right )-1\left ( y \geq x\big\ \right ) \right]]^{2}dy


Hi, this is a part of the thesis template of my university. I am not supposed to edit the preamble.

• What exactly are you trying to typeset? Note that \left<delimiter> should match a \right<delimiter> without any space e.g., \left( .... \right). You can start fixing the code by F_{y} and removing right} – percusse Apr 5 '13 at 5:47
• Welcome to TeX.SE. While code snippets are useful in explanations, it is always best to compose a fully compilable MWE that illustrates the problem including the \documentclass and the appropriate packages so that those trying to help don't have to recreate it. – Peter Grill Apr 5 '13 at 5:56
• Have you surrounded the code snippet by something like and ? – Mico Apr 5 '13 at 6:37
• @mico Yes. I have, – asd Apr 5 '13 at 6:43
• I would also check in nearby equations, especially those inline with your text. Depending on your editor, it may not be too apparent if you accidentally missed a \$ (or inserted an extra one), which would certainly cause this error. – Sean Allred Apr 5 '13 at 8:01

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
$$\textrm{CRPS} = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left[F_{y}\left(y \right)-1\left(y \geq x\right) \right]^{2}\textrm{d}y$$
\end{document}


Or

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
$$\textrm{CRPS} = \int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left[F_{y}\left(y \right)-1\left(y \geq x\right) \right]^{2}\textrm{d}y$$
\end{document}


# Edit:

The bunch of \left and \rights are not needed as noted in the comments. Further, this will work without amsmath. (I add amsmath/mathtools instinctively :-)).

Adding to the above the equation:

\textrm{CRPS} = \int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty}
\left[F_{y}\left(y \right)-1\left(y \geq x\right) \right]^{2}\textrm{d}y


when copy pasted in to http://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php works for me:

Hence, if it is not working for you, you may have to give some more details for trouble shooting.

• So what exactly is that inequality doing there? :) – percusse Apr 5 '13 at 6:03
• @percusse I dunno ;-). May be OP knows. – user11232 Apr 5 '13 at 6:05
• Hi, this is a part of the thesis template of my university and I inserted \textrm{CRPS} = \int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left[F_{y}\left(y \right)-1\left(y \geq x\right) \right]^{2}\textrm{d}y But it doesn't work. Same error. Any suggestions? Can we do it without using amsmath. I am not supposed to edit the preamble. – asd Apr 5 '13 at 6:28
• @asd, without access to more information, we won't be able to help you beyond this: this code works under normal circumstances. Some funny stuff might be happening in your preamble, and it would be worth sharing even if you can't change it. – Sean Allred Apr 5 '13 at 7:55
• @asd:You better post a MWE. What are you trying to do? Why you are copy pasting equation in that site? Instead directly use the equation in your tex file (from .....\end{equation) and complile the tex file with pdflatex. It should give the equation number. – user11232 Apr 6 '13 at 14:10