2

I am using the array environment to create a multiple row bracket expression, as folows:

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

\begin{equation}
\left\{ \begin{array}{lll}
C(\tau_{k,i})=0.5Q_e\ddot{q}_t^T\ddot{q}_t + 0.5R_e \theta^T \theta & when & t\neq t_v\\
\\
C(\tau_{k,i})=0.5Q_e\ddot{q}_t^T\ddot{q}_t + 0.5R_e \theta^T \theta +    P_{viapoint} & when & t=t_v\\
\\
\quad\quad P_{viapoint}=10^{10}(q_{t}-q_{viapoint})^T(q_{t}-q_{viapoint})

\end{array}\right.  
\label{cost2}
\end{equation}

\end{document}

which results in something like this:

enter image description here

However, the vertical spacing between the equations is much greater that the line spacing in the text, and is eating too much space on the paper. Is there a way to reduce the vertical spacing?

3
  • Consider using the cases environment (part of the amsmath package) for this task. Jul 19, 2013 at 15:58
  • Regarding the line spacing: I wonder if you've changed some setting earlier in your document, such as issuing \renewcommand\arraystretch{1.2}. Could you post a minimal working example please? Jul 19, 2013 at 16:01
  • You have used \\ \\ so have a blank row between each row of text which is why the spacing is so bad. Jul 19, 2013 at 16:39

1 Answer 1

5

The array (and tabular) environment sets struts in rows. The size of the struts can be reduced by using smaller values than 1 or \arraystretch:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\begin{equation}
\left\{
\renewcommand*{\arraystretch}{.5}
\begin{array}{lll}
C(\tau_{k,i})=0.5Q_e\ddot{q}_t^T\ddot{q}_t + 0.5R_e \theta^T \theta
& \text{when} &
t\neq t_v\\
\\
C(\tau_{k,i})=0.5Q_e\ddot{q}_t^T\ddot{q}_t + 0.5R_e \theta^T \theta +
P_{\text{viapoint}} & \text{when} & t=t_v\\
\\
\quad\quad P_{\text{viapoint}}
=10^{10}(q_{t}-q_{\text{viapoint}})^T(q_{t}-q_{\text{viapoint}})
\end{array}\right.
\end{equation}
\end{document}

Result

You can also take a look at AmSLaTeX (package amsmath) that provides many environments for aligned/non-aligned equations and cases structures.

0

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