15

How do you produce a single bracket in LaTeX? I just want to insert a " [ " without closing the bracket. Is there a way to do this?

Jesse
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user43415
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  • I don't get what you are asking for. What is wrong with simply typing the [ character? And welcome to TeX.SE. – Masroor Dec 31 '13 at 15:34
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    Exactly, just press the [ key on your keyboard. But if you want an expansible bracket to be used within a math expression use \left[ ... \right. (the period is part of the command). – Sigur Dec 31 '13 at 15:36
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    While your editor may protest in terms of an unmatched bracket, it's perfectly fine to just use [ as-is. If you're using it in an extensible sense (like \left[), then you need a corresponding empty \right.. – Werner Dec 31 '13 at 15:39
  • That was the problem, the editor did not seem to like { [ } but yes, it does work. – user43415 Dec 31 '13 at 15:41
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    Possibly interesting as well: http://tex.stackexchange.com/q/21290/412 – Dror Dec 31 '13 at 15:57

1 Answers1

26

If you wish to have have a scaleable bracket you should use the following:

\[ % Enter math mode
  \left[ your_formula_goes_here\right]
\]

If you want to keep it only on one side, use:

\[ % Enter math mode
  \left[ your_formula_goes_here\right.
\]

or

\[ % Enter math mode
  \left. your_formula_goes_here\right]
\]

depending on the side.

The important part is to always close with \right<**> whatever you opened with \left<*>. Note, as @Werner mentioned, that * and ** could be different as in \(\left] x^{x^{x^x}}\right\}\).

Dror
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