# Moving part of equation to next line

I have an equation:

$$MMAV1 = \frac{1}{N} \sum_{n=1}^N \omega_n|x_n|, \\ \omega_n = \begin{cases} 1 & if 0.25N \leq n \leq 0.75N \\ 0.5 & otherwise \\ \end{cases} \label{equ:MMAV1}$$


and I want the cases to be displayed on the next line. I have tried using \begin{align} but that splits it into two equations with two reference numbers.

Does somebody know how to do this?

• Welcome to TeX.SX! You can have a look at our starter guide to familiarize yourself further with our format. – Pier Paolo Feb 19 '15 at 14:13

You can use aligned instead of align environment

\begin{aligned} \text{MMAV1} &= \frac{1}{N} \sum_{n=1}^N \omega_n|x_n|\,, \\ \omega_n &= \begin{cases} 1 & \text{if 0.25N \leq n \leq 0.75N} \\ 0.5 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}\,. \end{aligned} \label{equ:MMAV1}


Of course, you can ommit the \\ after \omega_n, if you do not want only the cases to be in a different line.

Also the split environment can do the trick (same use).

Both of the above need the amsmath package.

• Ah yes. It is as simple as that. I wonder why it did not auto complete to "aligned" for me when I started typing "\begin{align...". Also, what does the & do in front of the equal sign that you added? – Sigmundur Feb 19 '15 at 14:26
• @Sigmundur the & sign in the first equation set a "column" where every other & will be placed. In the above example, the two equal signs will be the one under the other. Try to move the first & before \sum to see the difference, or the second one before \begin. – Theo Feb 19 '15 at 14:50
• i don't think you want the \\ after the \omega_n on the second line. and there also needs to be an \end{equation] since that environment has been begun. – barbara beeton Feb 19 '15 at 14:50
• Ah yes. I see now. It aligns the two equal signs just like in the cases to keep them aligned. @barbara beeton correct. I don't want it and thus have removed it. Ending the equation was a given :) Thanks for the help. Now I have everything I need for my equations to be properly formatted. :) – Sigmundur Feb 19 '15 at 14:55
• @barbara beeton you are right for the . However, I tried to change the examlpe that Sigmundur asked and to do exactly what he asked for (I want the cases to be displayed on the next line). I commented the other issues right after my example. – Theo Feb 19 '15 at 14:57