'\mspace' Tex Command

The '\mspace' Tex command is used to create horizontal space between mathematical expressions. It is especially useful for aligning equations and creating tables.

Syntax

The '\mspace' command has the following syntax:

\mspace{dimension}

The 'dimension' argument specifies the amount of horizontal space to be created. It can be any valid dimension in Tex, such as 'pt' (points), 'em' (width of the letter 'M'), or 'cm' (centimeters). Positive values create space to the right, while negative values create space to the left.

Examples

Here are some examples of how to use the '\mspace' command:

Aligning Equations

Suppose we want to align the following equations:

\begin{align*}
    x + y &= 5 \\
    x - y &= 1
\end{align*}

But we want to add a bit more space between the equal signs. We can use the '\mspace' command as follows:

\begin{align*}
    x + y &\mspace{50mu}= 5 \\
    x - y &\mspace{50mu}= 1
\end{align*}

This adds 50 math units of space (approximately the width of one character) between the equal signs.

Creating Tables

Suppose we want to create a table with three columns, where the first and third columns are left-aligned and the second column is right-aligned. We can use the '\mspace' command to create space between the second and third columns:

\begin{tabular}{l r @{\mspace{20mu}} l}
    One & 1 & First \\
    Two & 2 & Second \\
    Three & 3 & Third
\end{tabular}

This adds 20 math units of space between the second and third columns.

Conclusion

The '\mspace' Tex command is a powerful tool for creating horizontal space in mathematical expressions. Whether you are aligning equations or creating tables, '\mspace' can help you achieve the layout you need.