# Line numbering in Equation

I need that the line numbering in an equation would be: 1, 2, 3, ... and k (instead of default numbering 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). How can I do that?

MWE:

\documentclass[]{article}

\begin{document}

\begin{eqnarray}
1 \\
2 \\
3 \\
... \\
k
\end{eqnarray}

\end{document}


This is what the AMS math \tag command is for.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\newcommand{\tagdots}{\tag*{$\lower.2ex\hbox{\smash\vdots}\phantom0$}}
\begin{document}
\begin{align}
1 \\
2 \\
3 \\
\cdots \tagdots\\
k \tag{$k$}
\end{align}
\end{document}


Note that \tag{x} sets x between parentheses, and in text mode. I've used $k$ above to get a label looking like a math-mode letter.

Use the star-form, \tag* if you don't want the parentheses.

But with a narrow label, you may need some adjustments to get something neatly centred horizontally and vertically. Here I have hidden this complexity in a new \tagdots command.

• there's really too much space above the \vdots -- they should be centered vertically. \smash closes up the space too much (these dots are taller than a capital letter, and they're not centered on the math axis, which is too bad); the space between (3) and (k) is reduced to what it would be if an "ordinary" tag were present (forced by the phantom parentheses). – barbara beeton Mar 20 '15 at 18:32
• @barbarabeeton, yes you are right - perhaps it would be better to write a tagdots command... – Thruston Mar 20 '15 at 19:15
• If you replace \cdots with \makebox*{3}{\cdots} (from the small makebox package), the \cdots will be centred in their column. – Bernard Mar 20 '15 at 19:53
• @Bernard, yes but I think they were just a placeholder in the OP example. – Thruston Mar 20 '15 at 21:35
• @Thruston: Maybe, maybe not… – Bernard Mar 20 '15 at 21:42