Using the siunitx package, if I specify an error with the \pm symbol then it automatically converts it to a form using parenthesis. I would like it to not do this and keep the \pm symbol, but still space the elements of the quantity and symbol in a good way.
e.g. \SI{10 \pm 2}{\kelvin} would produce 10(1) K
I would like it to produce: 10\pm1 K or something similar with spacing taken care of.
You want the separate-uncertainty switch, p.30 of the documentation.
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
sets this format for every number, or
\SI[separate-uncertainty=true]{whatever}
just for one.
\sisetup{separate-uncertainty=true} is also an option, which can be called in your document before you need the format change.
I've just come across the same problem and this is how I solved it to my satisfaction:
in the preamble:
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty = true,multi-part-units=single]{siunitx}
in the text:
(\SI{284(10)}{\ampere})
Produces the following output: 284 ± 10 A
If multi-part-units=single option isn't given, the result will look like: ((284 ± 10) A) which, in my opinion, is less than optimal.
HTH
multi-part-units=single was sufficient for me. You don't need the first part to achieve the same result... but that's 5 years later.
Mar 3, 2018 at 18:28
separate-uncertainty=true to create the pm sign and multi-part-units=single to get rid of the parenthesis (i want 850±15 nm instead of (850±15) nm )