# equations automatically aligning to the left, how do I centre them?

I was under the impression that equations align to the centre. I'm using a pack \documentclass [twocolumn, final] {svjour3} which I am guessing is changing that.

So for example this:

$$\begin{split} \label{eq_vector_value} V_{w_{xy}} &= 1 - Norm(\delta(w_{x},w_{y})) \\ &= \{V_{w_{xy}} \in \mathbb{R} \| 0 \geq V_{w_{xy}} \geq 1\}. \end{split}$$


Produces this:

This is a two column format, and I've been trying to make it centre. Was I wrong to expect it would automatically align to the centre? All equations in this particular article seem to align left.

• Do you have a fleqn option specified anywhere? See Display math formula in the middle of a line.
– Werner
Feb 11 '16 at 19:58
• No I don't have. It seems to default to left alignment. Can I somehow cancel it out?
– Ælex
Feb 11 '16 at 20:05
• what document class are you using. maybe that specifies left alignment. Feb 11 '16 at 20:11
• @barbarabeeton its a template from Springer, called svjour3.cls the type is simply defined as \documentclass[twocolumn,final]{svjour3}. Should I look into the document and see if theres a fleqn?
– Ælex
Feb 11 '16 at 20:14
• i've just looked into svjour3.cls (i have an old copy lying around), and it includes this line: \PassOptionsToPackage{fleqn}{amsmath}}, there's your answer. that's what springer wants. Feb 11 '16 at 20:18

That is the class default behavior. svjour3.cls includes

\PassOptionsToPackage{fleqn}{amsmath}}


So that the default

\documentclass[twocolumn, final]{svjour3}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\usepackage{lipsum} % just for the demo
\DeclareMathOperator{\Norm}{Norm}
\begin{document}
\lipsum[1-5] % Just for the demo
$$\begin{split} \label{eq_vector_value} V_{w_{xy}} &= 1 - \Norm(\delta(w_{x},w_{y})) \\ &= \{V_{w_{xy}} \in \mathbb{R} \| 0 \geq V_{w_{xy}} \geq 1\}. \end{split}$$
\lipsum[5-15] % Just for the demo
\end{document}


produces :

(By the way, you should use a \DeclareMathOperator to display nicely your "Norm" in the equation.)

• Many thanks for the help and hint ;-) I guess thats what Springer expects.
– Ælex
Feb 11 '16 at 20:23

svjour3.cls defines fleqn as a class option, but also passes that option to amsmath if its loaded:

\DeclareOption{fleqn}{\input{fleqn.clo}\AtBeginDocument{\mathindent\z@}%
\PassOptionsToPackage{fleqn}{amsmath}}


And, under the twocolumn document class option, it necessarily also uses fleqn, thereby adding content to the \@begindocumenthook and setting up amsmath:

\DeclareOption{twocolumn}{\@twocolumntrue\ExecuteOptions{fleqn}}


You can override this by using the following by removing any options passed to amsmath by the document class

\makeatletter
\expandafter\let\csname opt@amsmath.sty\endcsname\relax% Remove options passed to amsmath
\makeatother


The above seems sufficient, but one can also remove the margin adjustments introduced by the class:

\makeatletter
\AtBeginDocument{
\mathindent=15pt % Restore \mathindent
\@mathmargin\@centering} % Restore \@mathmargin
\makeatother


All of the above goes against better judgement, as journals have specific requirements that one should adhere to.

\documentclass[twocolumn, final]{svjour3}

\makeatletter
\expandafter\let\csname opt@amsmath.sty\endcsname\relax% Remove options passed to amsmath
\AtBeginDocument{
\mathindent=15pt % Restore \mathindent
\@mathmargin\@centering} % Restore \@mathmargin
\makeatother

\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb,lipsum}

\begin{document}

\sloppy% Just for this document
\lipsum*[1]
$$f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c$$

\lipsum[2]

\end{document}

• Nice investigation. You should emphasize the sentence "All of the above goes against better judgement, as journals have specific requirements that one should adhere to." ! Feb 11 '16 at 21:03