# Presenting 2 results for one variable using a left brace

So I want to represent two results for a variable in math mode, and there is something that I don't know the name in English for, which is a big "{". What I want to do is the following:

$$\pi(s) = {^{x if s = 5}_{y if s = 4}$$


But with a normal size and I don't think this is the correct way. So this line would occupy +- 2 lines instead of 1.

• { is a left brace. – Bernard May 18 '19 at 19:02

## 1 Answer

I think you are looking for cases.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
$\pi(s)=\begin{cases} x & \text{if s = 5}\\ y & \text{if s = 4} \end{cases}$
\end{document}


• what is the $and$ for? – Miguel Saraiva May 18 '19 at 19:04
• @MiguelSaraiva $ and $? They are for unnumbered math mode, aren't they? What do you mean? – user156344 May 18 '19 at 19:04
• Right, i'm used to using $$or begin equation I forgot that was a thing. Thank you – Miguel Saraiva May 18 '19 at 19:05 • @MiguelSaraiva Well, using equation is very okay, but please do not use $$! – user156344 May 18 '19 at 19:05
• @MiguelSaraiva Ah, it is okay. Very okay :) – user156344 May 18 '19 at 19:08