# How can I vertically align boxes in math-mode?

I want to make a box for my daughter in order to fill in the blank. But it is not nice. How can I repair the boxes?

• The sourcecode for this MWE would help us. What could help, and I will post an answer using this, if you give us your code, is the \vcenter option. There are other ways, but I think this suffices.
– nox
Dec 28, 2016 at 0:52
• I tried $\vcenter{\hbox{\rule{0.35cm}{0.35cm}}} + 2016 = 2017$. Dec 28, 2016 at 1:20

Here is a suggestion:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}

\newcommand{\pbox}[1]{\boxed{\phantom{#1}}}

\begin{document}

$\pbox{2015} + 2016 = 4031$

\medskip

$\pbox{1} + \pbox{2} + \pbox{3} = 6$

\medskip

$\pbox{f(x)} = ax^2 + bx + c$

\medskip

$\dfrac{6}{10} = \dfrac{\pbox{3}}{5}$

\end{document}


The contents is set as a \phantom inside a \boxed (from amsmath).

• Nice work, even though the OP has not provided the MWE.
– nox
Dec 28, 2016 at 1:33
• @Werner HOw can I simplify this line$12\,\, \pbox{>} \,\,5 + 6.$? Dec 28, 2016 at 2:00
• @toandhsp: You could probably use $12 \mathbin{\pbox{>}} 5 + 6$.
– Werner
Dec 28, 2016 at 2:16
• @Werner Can I get a square box? If I use $12 \mathbin{\pbox{>}} 5 + 6$ not nice. Dec 28, 2016 at 4:00
• @toandhsp: Try with $12 \mathbin{\pbox{\vphantom{>}\rule{1ex}{0pt}}} 5 + 6$.
– Werner
Dec 28, 2016 at 7:08