How do I get curly braces to show in math mode? When I write this:
$ K_1 = {s_1}, K_2 = {s_2, s_3, s_4} $
the braces disappear in the output.
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3 Answers
30
Use \{…\}. But, as the contents inside the braces may vary in size, it would be better to use the DeclarePairedDelimiter command from the mathtools package:
\DeclarePairedDelimiter\set\{\}
This defines a \set{…} command, which accepts an optional argument: \big, \Big, \bigg, or \Bigg, which implicitly adds a pair of \bigl…\bigr, &c. in front of the braces. Example: \set[\big]{...}
A \set*{…} variant becomes available for free, which adds implicitly a pair of \left…\right.
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Mathtools is a relatively new package, so if \usepackage{mathtools} generates 'package not found' error in MiKTeX, you may need to synchronize mpm's repository catalog. The instructions here resolved the issue for me. – Assad Ebrahim Apr 02 '16 at 02:36
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1The main point is it's not installed by default in a basic installation of MiKTeX. – Bernard Apr 02 '16 at 08:54
15
You need to escape the braces like \{ and \}.
$K_1 = \{s_1\}, K_2 = \{s_2, s_3, s_4\}$
cauchy42
- 629
12
Also possible to use dynamic delimiter sizing with \left and right, example below.
Calculate the first 4 terms of the sequence below, here typeset
without dynamic delimiter sizing:
\begin{equation}
{ a_n } = { -(\frac{1}{n})^n }
\end{equation}
With dynamic delimiter sizing of the curly braces using \left and
\right the sequence looks like
\begin{equation}
{ a_n } = \left{ -(\frac{1}{n})^n \right}
\end{equation}
Off course we can also apply this to the parenthesis
\begin{equation}
{ a_n } = \left{ - \left( \frac{1}{n} \right)^n \right}
\end{equation}
Finally, the answer to the question is ${ -1,1/4,-1/27,1/256,... }$
John
- 647
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This answer is way too far down. YES, ´\left{´ and ´\right}´ are the commands that adapt the curly bracket sizes to the content height. – kalle Nov 21 '23 at 12:10
\{ .... \}... – Zarko Sep 21 '15 at 19:18\\\{and\\\}. – goodvibration Jun 04 '19 at 15:53