# Adjusting size and positioning of math notation in a Mathematica notebook? [duplicate]

Writing mathematics in a notebook is OK, but consider the following image:

In LaTeX, I can write:

$$y^2=\frac{1+2\sin^{-1}x}{2}$$


which displays as: $$y^2=\frac{1+2\sin^{-1}x}{2}$$

As you can see, the fraction is much larger and more readable. Is there a Mathematica command that will enlarge my fraction to match the LaTeX display style?

• I just do not understand what we are speaking about. I tried to reproduce the behavior in Mma 10.0, Win7 within the Default and JournalArticle StyleSheets in the EquationNumbered cells and do not see the font size reduction, at least, by eye. Could you specify, what type of StyleSheet/Cell do you have in mind? – Alexei Boulbitch Dec 10 '14 at 8:30
• @AlexeiBoulbitch: You can download the notebook here. – David Dec 10 '14 at 16:51
• I think there's something theoretically wrong in marking a question the duplicate of another question that itself is a duplicate of a third question. There ought to be some transitive law that says this is a duplicate of the earlier question. – Michael E2 Dec 11 '14 at 12:34

There are a few ways to do this. The easiest is probably the switch off the script level changes that are taking place by selecting the cell bracket and setting AllowScriptLevelChange->False in the options inspector:

For more subtle tweeking you need to leave AllowScriptLevelChange->True and adjust ScriptSizeMultipliers. For example with ScriptSizeMultipliers->{1.0} gives the same result since the multiplier is 1. By default you'll notice that the value is set to 0.71. So you can adjust the sizes to suite your needs by adjusting that value.

These adjustments can be made by selecting the cell and going to the Options Inspector. When you find settings that you want to use regularly it is probably best to incorporate these options into a cell style and create your own stylesheet.

• Thank you, it is very interesting. I have, however, two questions. First I formulated to David, the OP. Please have a look, am I wrong? Second, do you think it might be an alternative to make Shift+Ctrl+E and include the option into the cell code? – Alexei Boulbitch Dec 10 '14 at 8:32
• @AlexeiBoulbitch 1. the OP does not state what stylesheet is being used and what type of cell the pic is taken from. I have made no assumptions. 2. If a user is inexperienced I do not recommend Shift+Ctrl+E. It is much safer to use the option inspector. – Mike Honeychurch Dec 10 '14 at 8:44
• Yes, Mike, but I am a bit experienced. I just made few trials and see, for example, that ScriptSizeMultipliers->{1.0} is easy to add as the option to the whole CellBoxData, and it will give rise to the full size of both fractions and exponents, while addition AllowScriptLevelChange->False by OptionsInspector places it as the FractionBoxOptions for the outer FractionBox. It then only gives the full size of fractions, but not of exponents. – Alexei Boulbitch Dec 10 '14 at 9:15
• To mimic TeX for displayed formulas, you need something like {ScriptSizeMultipliers -> {1., 0.7, 0.7, 1.}} as the BaseStyle of FractionBoxOptions of the formula cell. And maybe ScriptSizeMultipliers -> {0.7, 0.7, 1.} under "Display Options". But TeX, which is meant for printing, gets a bit too small for a computer screen, I think. – Michael E2 Dec 10 '14 at 15:17
• Perhaps the best way would be a to create a "Display math" style with these options set and put these equations in their own cell (of this type)? – Szabolcs Dec 10 '14 at 16:32

The way I do it in my work is as follows:

• There is a better way: give the cell where you are going to type the style DisplayFormula or DisplayFormulaNumbered. Done. This works especially nice in the JournalArticle StyleSheet. – Alexei Boulbitch Dec 11 '14 at 8:47