INDICES & POWERS
LaTeX subscripts and superscripts: group indices correctly
Examples checked with MathTexLab’s base and AMS math renderer · Display style
Use an underscore for a subscript and a caret for a superscript. Braces decide how many characters belong to that script; they are grouping instructions, not visible brackets.
Group more than one character
In x^2, the next character is the exponent. Write
x^{12} for twelve: x^12 puts only the first digit
in the exponent. The same rule applies to a_{ij} and
a_i j. Add braces before adjusting the visual size.
Combine an index and a power
An item can have one lower and one upper script. The example uses a matrix-style index and a power on the same base. Inside the final sum, the braces keep the entire upper limit together.
a_{ij}^{2}+\sum_{k=1}^{n+1}k^2Repair a double script
Do not write x^2^3 when you mean a power of a power. Use
(x^2)^3 for a grouped base, or x^{2^3} for a
nested exponent. These expressions have different meanings. A successful
preview cannot decide which one you intended.
Check the result in context
Type only the mathematical expression into the editor, without document commands or dollar delimiters. Try Inline and Display math styles, then choose the overall font size. If a script looks crowded, change the notation or grouping before increasing the font size. Export only after the live preview shows the intended base and scripts.
Syntax reference
MathJax supported-command reference. The examples above are limited to the features described here; additional packages are not implied.
Continue with LaTeX Equation Editor.