# wider space for case equations

I am trying to write lots of simultaneous equations. But as you can see from the image, inserting one space and two spaces both look ugly.

This is the code I use to generate these two equations

\documentclass[]{article}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}

\textbf{22} Solve the following simultaneous equations\\
\hspace*{5mm}\textbf{a} $\begin{cases}\dfrac{4}{x}-\dfrac{3}{y}=1\\\dfrac{8}{x}+\dfrac{9}{y}=7\\\end{cases}\quad$\\\\\\
\hspace*{5mm}\textbf{b} $\begin{cases}\dfrac{9}{x}+\dfrac{8}{y}=-1\\\\\dfrac{12}{x}-\dfrac{6}{y}=7\\\end{cases}\quad$
\end{document}


Is there a way to halve the gap?

It's just that I have to write hundreds of these and I am really keen to find out how.

Thanks :)

• You can use the syntax \$10pt] for example, to specify the extra gap you want added, and tailor this to your desired spacing. – Steven B. Segletes Oct 27 '15 at 10:33 • Try dcases instead of cases – egreg Oct 27 '15 at 10:33 ## 1 Answer Use dcases (provided by mathtools). \documentclass[fleqn]{article} \usepackage{mathtools} \begin{document} \textbf{22} Solve the following simultaneous equations \[ \textbf{a } \begin{dcases} \frac{4}{x}-\frac{3}{y}=1\\ \frac{8}{x}+\frac{9}{y}=7 \end{dcases}$
\end{document}