3

Consider this MWE:

enter image description here

How can I adjust the vertical alignment of the square brackets so they are 'centered vertically' around the symbols? Notice how different the spacing is between the bottom of the bracket and the bottom of the symbols - compared to the top of the bracket and the top of the symbols. If this is conventional typographic style, then I am also happy to be told so!

\documentclass[12pt]{report}
\usepackage{bm}
\begin{document}
\begin{equation}
[\mathbf{K}-\omega^2\mathbf{M}]\bm{A}=0
\end{equation}
\end{document}
Milo
  • 9,440
  • 3
    contrary to what you say about vertical centering, the brackets are centered. but they are centered around the "math axis" -- examine them with reference to the = sign. if you had, for example, a \gamma or \chi, the effect would be much different. this is indeed "conventional typographical style" for mathematics. – barbara beeton May 29 '18 at 16:00
  • @barbarabeeton You are right, I hadn't noticed this! Thanks – Milo May 29 '18 at 16:05

2 Answers2

7

contrary to what you say about vertical centering, the brackets are centered. but they are centered around the "math axis".

examine them with reference to the = sign. if you had, for example, a \gamma or \chi, the effect would be much different.

this is indeed "conventional typographical style" for mathematics.

barbara beeton
  • 88,848
1

Ok, now I think I've got your answer. Just use the \raisebox{lift}{text} to lift up the character.

\documentclass[12pt]{report}
\usepackage{bm}
\begin{document}
\begin{equation}
\raisebox{1pt}{[} \mathbf{K}-\omega^2\mathbf{M} \raisebox{1pt}{]}\bm{A}=0
\end{equation}
\end{document}

enter image description here

Levy
  • 1,167
  • don't post multiple answers, you can edit your answer, or now you have two, delete the wrong one. (this one is less wrong than the other, but \raisebox has lost the mathopen and mathclose horizontal spacing and (potentially) takes the brackets from a differnt font. – David Carlisle May 29 '18 at 18:45