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The equation $\max - \log x$ renders in a weird way:
The minus is a unary operator (i.e. it means "negative logarithm", and not "the difference between max and log"). So I would expect that it would be closer to "log". That happens for $-b$ as opposed to $a-b$:
Is there a better way than $-\log x$ to write the negative logarithm?
As @egreg pointed out in the comments, to avoid ambiguity a pair of parentheses is recommended. Or maybe you could try $\max_{x\ge2} -{\log x}$ instead of the full expression $\max\{ \, -{\log x} : x\ge2 \, \}$.
You mentioned you wanted a unary negation, so you have to use $-{\log x}$, and even $-\log x$ is incorrect.
In the $-\log x$ example, \log is of class \mathop, and the minus sign (which is not a binary operation here) will be rendered as an ordinary object (class \mathord - see this answer to learn about math classes). And so a thin space \, is added between them (because a thin space is always inserted between \mathord and \mathop - see this answer - think $\sin x\cos x$ for example).
Therefore, to truly get unary negation, you must make sure whatever you are negating is itself an ordinary object. This can be done by simply enclosing \log x within a pair of {}. Same idea applies to $-{\sin x}$, $\tan x = {\sin x}/{\cos x}$, etc.
$\max\log x$ without parentheses, what else can it mean apart from $\max(\log x)$? Why does $-\log$ create an "impossible" combination, where is it explained that $- cannot be followed by a \mathop?
– root
Jun 3 '18 at 22:55
- in math mode is classified as \mathbin by default. “Impossible” means “it is impossible to start math mode with a \mathbin”, hence the \mathord adjustment. A \mathop can follow a \mathord—see my mentioned example. You can check this answer to learn about math classes, and this answer for the spacing rules.
– Ruixi Zhang
Jun 3 '18 at 23:38
$\max-\log x$, the minus sign is a perfectly normal binary, the atoms in this math list are mathop mathbin mathop mathord.
– Ruixi Zhang
Aug 6 '19 at 23:50
A double pair of braces will do the trick. However, I also prefer to add a pair of parentheses:
\documentclas{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\begin{document}
\begin{align*}
& \smashoperator{\max_{1 < x < \mathrm e}}{-}{\log x}\\
& \smashoperator{\max_{1 < x < \mathrm e}} ({-}{\log x})
\end{align*}%
\end{document}
\max(-\log x)– egreg Jun 3 '18 at 19:50$\max -\log x$as opposed to$\max -b$. – root Jun 3 '18 at 19:54\max\log x, because there's no binding of the variable. I can suggest\max-{\log x}, – egreg Jun 3 '18 at 19:59\max\{\log x:x>0\}(or whatever interval you compute the maximum over. – egreg Jun 3 '18 at 20:02\max{}-\log x? I dislike, but... – Sigur Jun 3 '18 at 20:04