# How to combine paragraphs of text with equations using \shortintertext and 'align'

I commented that I'm solving problems to make a book of basic math (or precalculus). In the environment or region of solving an exercise I want to combine paragraphs of text (using \shortintertext) with equations which I can align with respect to any sign of equality or inequality (align environment). I wish I could list some of these equations. And most importantly, I want to control the line spacing in this development environment. You can see that the following code

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{showframe}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\usepackage{amsthm}
\begin{document}

\begin{align*}
\shortintertext{The equation is..}
4x &= 3x + 3&&(1)\\
\shortintertext{then by t2 and t7 theorems have..}
\left(3x+3\leq 4x <x+4\right) & &&(2)\\
\shortintertext{..respectively}
\end{align*}

\end{document}


will produce this document in DVI in which the numbering of formulas (or equations) are not close to the right margin. I want these numbers (within the parenthesis) are located very close to the right margin.

To control the line spacing I tried with commands like \addtolength{\jot}{2em}

\begingroup
\begin{align*}
\shortintertext{The equation is..}\\[0.1em]
4x &= 3x + 3&&(1)\\
\shortintertext{then by t2 and t7 theorems have..}\\[0.1em]
\left(3x+3\leq 4x <x+4\right) & &&(2)\\
\shortintertext{..respectively}
\end{align*}
\endgroup


and becomes chaotic:

Can you solve or should I choose other environments?

• Not sure exactly what the question is. Do you just want the equation labels to be closer to the equations? If so, that does not at all seem related to the title. Please edit the question to clarify. – Peter Grill Jan 21 '14 at 21:53
• one problem with this is that the text "then by ..." is not short. short implies that the text would fit in the "blank" area at the left of the equation lines around it. you should use just \intertext in this case. – barbara beeton Jan 21 '14 at 21:54
• Sorry , I have some trouble passing the Spanish into English, but in my last edition I think I have clarified the question a little more. – mathsalomon Jan 21 '14 at 21:57
• In the last edition I wrote "I want those numbers (numbering of equations) in brackets appear close together in the right margin". And the second question is how can I control the line spacing in this paragraph that combines equations and text? Thanks for your answer barbara beeton, I'll try now. – mathsalomon Jan 21 '14 at 22:04
• Question: Why are you using align* if you want to number equations? In case you are after equation numbering you should use align. Suggestion: As it looks you are manually entering 1 and 2,etc. If you want to persist with align*, you can use \tag{1} and \tag{2}, instead of writing (1) and (2). – Umz Jan 22 '14 at 0:34

You should let the align environment handle the numbering for you. Then the numbers will appear close to the right margin and the equations will be centered correctly.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{showframe}
\usepackage{mathtools}

\begin{document}

The equation is
\begin{align}
4x &= 3x + 3.\\
\shortintertext{Then we have}
3x+3&\leq 4x <x+4.
\end{align}

\end{document}