# How use “align” but with numeration of just some equation?

How use "align" but with numeration of just some equation ? For example,

\begin{align}

f(x)&=P(x)\\

&= Q(x)\\

&=R(x)

\end{align}


will numerate all equation. How can I do if I want to numerate only the second equation for example ? I tried

\begin{align*}

f(x)&=P(x)\\

&= Q(x)\tag{2}\\

&=R(x)

\end{align*}


but I would like to numerote it in a coherent way with previous numerotation, i.e. if the previous equation is numeroted with (6) I want to give automatically the number (7). Is it possible ?

• What about of \nonumber in the same line of the equation that should not be numbered ;-) – user31729 Dec 27 '17 at 10:46
• Remember: Blank lines are not allowed in the environments of the amsmath package. – Mico Dec 27 '17 at 10:55
• @ChristianHupfer -- with amsmath, \notag is equivalent to \nonumber. – barbara beeton Dec 27 '17 at 14:27
• @barbarabeeton: But the O.P. does not use \notag neither ;-) And I think it is a clear duplicate – user31729 Dec 27 '17 at 15:44

When using align or similar environments, \nonumber suppresses numbering of the given line. You only need \tag if you need special labelling.

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}

\begin{document}

\begin{align}
f(x)&=P(x) \nonumber \\
&=Q(x) \label{eq:2} \\
&=R(x) \nonumber \\
&=S(x) \tag{S}\label{eq:S} \\
&=T(x) \nonumber
\end{align}

Refer to \eqref{eq:2} and \eqref{eq:S}

\end{document}

• That was what I was looking for. (+1) and thanks a lot :-) – Surb Dec 27 '17 at 14:14

This does what you want:

\begin{aligned} f(x)&=P(x)\\ &= Q(x)\\ &=R(x) \end{aligned}


The equation number is vertically centred by default. You can have it at the top or at the bottom with the options [t] or [b].

• I think the OP wants this without the \tag{2} so gets the automatic number – David Carlisle Dec 27 '17 at 10:55
• Yes, @DavidCarlisle is right. I don't want to have \tag{2} to have a coherent number with previous numerotations. – Surb Dec 27 '17 at 11:01
• I tried it work (except replace \tag by \label – Surb Dec 27 '17 at 11:02
• @Surb: Yes, I copied your code to start with, and forgot to remove \tag{2}. I've fixed it. – Bernard Dec 27 '17 at 11:04
• @Surb: You also have the possibility to nest all this in the subequations environment which will number lines as (7a), (7b), &c., with always the possibility to use \nonumber (or \notag) for specific lines. – Bernard Dec 27 '17 at 12:08

I would choose the path of Andrew swann, but instead of removing numbers in align I would add numbers to align* this has already been shown, and here I cite the answer from align* but show one equation number at the end :

Use \tag:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\begin{align*}
a &=b \\
&=c \numberthis \label{eqn}
\end{align*}
Equation \eqref{eqn} shows that $a=c$.
$$d = e$$
\end{document}


See page 3 of the amsmath package >documentation for details.

This answer was given by Ian Thompson