Multicols & enumerate inside equation

Question

In the following MWE, how can I enclose the boxed content inside an equation environment so that I can refer to it later by its equation number?

\documentclass{scrartcl}

\usepackage{mathtools,multicol,blindtext,enumitem}

\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\blindtext
\begin{multicols}{2}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\arabic*)]
    \item\label{itm:1} $a = b$,
    \item\label{itm:2} $c = d$,
    \item\label{itm:3} $e = f$,
    \item\label{itm:4} $g = h$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{multicols}
\blindtext
\blindtext
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

In order to leave room for the equation number, you would need to put the \multicols inside a minipage or use \llap. I would use an array instead of multicols. — John Kormylo, Oct 26 '17 at 14:40

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 26 '17 at 22:18

In my opinion, the subequations should be numbered in a different way (with letters, for instance) and referenced with a link to the global number.

\documentclass{scrartcl}

\usepackage{mathtools}
\usepackage{multicol}
\usepackage{array}
\usepackage{blindtext}

\makeatletter
\let\sublabel\ltx@label
\newcounter{subeq}
\renewcommand{\thesubeq}{\alph{subeq}}
\renewcommand{\p@subeq}{\theequation.}
\makeatother
\newcommand{\subeq}{\refstepcounter{subeq}\textnormal{(\thesubeq)}}

\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\blindtext
\begin{equation}\label{foo}
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
\setcounter{subeq}{0}
\begin{array}{
  @{}
  >{$}c<{$}>{\displaystyle}l
  @{\qquad}
  >{$}c<{$}>{\displaystyle}l
  @{}
}
\subeq\sublabel{itm:1} & a = b, &
\subeq\sublabel{itm:2} & c = d, \\
\subeq\sublabel{itm:3} & e = f, &
\subeq\sublabel{itm:4} & g = h.
\end{array}
\end{equation}
\eqref{itm:1}, \eqref{itm:4}, \eqref{foo} and 
\blindtext
\blindtext
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

John Kormylo · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-26T21:40:19.457

2

This uses an array to display the 4 sub-equations.

\documentclass{scrartcl}

\usepackage{mathtools,multicol,blindtext,enumitem}

\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\blindtext
\begin{equation}\label{name}
  \begin{array}{cc@{\qquad}cc}
    (1) & a=b & (3) & e=f\\
    (2) & c=d & (4) & g=h
  \end{array}
\end{equation}
\blindtext
\blindtext
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

I took a few liberties with the subequation format, and introduced the command \subeq to simplify the code.

Interestingly, equation does not like have more than one \label inside, hence \extralabel.

\documentclass{scrartcl}

\usepackage{mathtools,multicol,blindtext,enumitem}

\newcounter{subequation}[equation]
\renewcommand{\thesubequation}{\theequation\text{\alph{subequation}}}

\let\extralabel=\label
\newcommand{\subeq}[1]% #1 = label
  {\bgroup\refstepcounter{subequation}\extralabel{#1}\egroup(\thesubequation)}

\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\blindtext
\begin{equation}\label{name}
  \begin{array}{cc@{\qquad}cc}
    \subeq{itm:1} & a=b & \subeq{itm:2} & e=f\\
    \subeq{itm:3} & c=d & \subeq{itm:4} & g=h
  \end{array}
\end{equation}
\blindtext
\blindtext
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

edited Oct 26 '17 at 21:40

answered Oct 26 '17 at 14:54

John Kormylo

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Sorry, perhaps I should have stated more clearly that I need to reference the individual items as well, not just the equation as a whole (which is why they are labeled in my MWE). Is this possible in your implementation? – Janosh Oct 26 '17 at 18:06
Using a new counter is problematic as they would be number 1 2\3 4 instead of 1 3\2 4. OTOH, one can use \mylabel from https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/236626/refer-to-the-name-of-an-equation-while-a-list-of-equations-is-generated-using/237126?s=1|34.3925#237126 and not use counters. – John Kormylo Oct 26 '17 at 20:29
The numbering scheme is irrelevant as long as the individual items can be referenced. – Janosh Oct 26 '17 at 20:32
If I use the cleveref and setup \crefname{cond}{condition}{conditions}, is there any way I can pass the optional argument [cond] to extralabel? \let\condlabel=\label[cond] doesn't work. – Janosh Oct 27 '17 at 09:36
1

cleverref redefines \label to have a new optional argument. If the redefinition occurs BEFORE \let\extralabel=\label, no problem. If it uses \AtBeginDocument, you might need to do the same. – John Kormylo Oct 27 '17 at 15:10
Thanks for the tip! \AtBeginDocument{\let\extralabel=\label} did the trick. – Janosh Oct 27 '17 at 16:16

Multicols & enumerate inside equation

2 Answers2