# word spacing in fraction [duplicate]

I want to have 2 separate words in a fraction (numerator & denominator), however, LaTeX would keep them together with no space.

I'm using the amsmath package. And this is the line of the code:

\centering
\$\frac {desired  displacement_{max}}{actual  displacement_{max}}


How can I keep (desired and displacement) separately?

Thanks

## marked as duplicate by Svend Tveskæg, Paul Gaborit, Jesse, Mico, Romain PicotMar 22 '16 at 15:25

To add text in math mode, use the \text command provided by amsmath.
\frac{\text{foo bar}_{\text{max}}}{\text{foo bar}_{\text{min}}}

• Since \max and \min are operators, they need not be placed in \text macros, as they will present in upright font already: \frac{\text{foo bar}_{\max}}{\text{foo bar}_{\min}} – Steven B. Segletes Mar 22 '16 at 14:25
• OK, I didn’t even think of this simple thing. However, wouldn’t the spacing around \min and \max be wrong, as operators always have some space around them? – Zoxume Mar 22 '16 at 14:33
• @Zoxume no the spacing after a mathop is only added if there is something following. (but you should use \textrm not \text so that you get a fixed font not the font current outside the math (\max will use \mathrm so doesn't have that problem) – David Carlisle Mar 22 '16 at 14:35