# Weird multicols problem

I have the following code with multicols and but the weird thing is that when I type in the multicols environment, it follows that the text automatically gets moved into the next column automatically when I would like for it to continue in the first column. My code is follows:

\documentclass[landscape]{article}
\usepackage{multicol}
\usepackage[english]{babel}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[latin9]{inputenc}
\usepackage[margin=.22in,top=.22in,bottom=.22in]{geometry}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\fontsize{5}{6}\selectfont
\begin{multicols}{3}

% multicol parameters
% These lengths are set only within the two main columns
\setlength{\columnseprule}{0.25pt}
\setlength{\premulticols}{1pt}
\setlength{\postmulticols}{1pt}
\setlength{\multicolsep}{1pt}
\setlength{\columnsep}{2pt}

\section{Numerical Integration}
Midpoint: $(b-a)f(\frac{(a+b)}{2})$. Midpoint error is: $\frac{f''(\xi)}{24}(b-a)^{3}$ \\
Trapezoidal: $\frac{b-a}{2}[f(a)+f(b)]$. Trap error is: $-\frac{f''(\xi)}{12}(b-a)^{3}$ \\
Simpson: $\frac{b-a}{6}[f(a)+4f(\frac{a+b}{2})+f(b)]$. \\ Simpson Error is $-\frac{f''''(\xi)}{90}(\frac{b-a}{2})^{5}$

\end{multicols}

\end{document}


I am looking to save as much space as possible in the most organized way possible since I am looking to make a cheat sheet, which hence explains the small font size. Anyhow, when I compile the code, it follows that the 3rd line beginning with "simpson ..." gets moved into the 2nd column. How could I prevent this ?

Thank you

• oops, typo mistake, but it still doesnt work so it is not that issue – PutsandCalls Apr 8 '16 at 3:09
• It will balance the columns by default. If you add more stuff, doesn't the first column grow? – cfr Apr 8 '16 at 3:11
• Yes you are right, when I added more stuff just now, it did get pushed into the first column. Didn't know that about multicol before – PutsandCalls Apr 8 '16 at 3:16
• add \usepackage{lipsum} in the preamble and add the command \lipsum in the body that is next to simpson line and compile you will get all the formulae in the first column – murugan Apr 8 '16 at 3:37

What you are looking for is multicols* notmulticolsas an environment to suppress balancing (which is really the main purpose of the multicol package :-)