Hi, I think what you ask for was never supported in ConTeXt, for a reason. The idea is that either one groups a set of equations with a brace and numbers them with one number, or one does not group, and then one can number each line separately/independently. Grouping on the left with a brace and numbering one line to the right is, even if we see that often, not really logical. If there is a large request for doing this, I can talk to Hans about it, maybe it is easy on the code side to support it. But I remember from when we were messing with numbering, and in particular when there are alignments, that it is a bit complicated. /Mikael On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 5:19 PM Alan Bowen wrote:

Thank you, Mikael. That is very helpful and much appreciated.

What I now have is: \startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR[eq:1] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:2] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula which put the numbers at the right margin,as I wanted.

So how do I get a brace on the left rather than on the right? Or is there documentation that explains this?

Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:22 AM Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

...

Hi,

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:45 PM Alan Bowen wrote:

...

I have the following which works, except for the fact that the equation number does not go to the right margin.

\startplaceformula \startformula[align=middle, prefix=no] \startcases[distance=2pt] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC\hfill n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime.\NR[eq04] \stopcases \stopformula \stopplaceformula

I expect that I have missed something pretty basic here, so any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I misunderstand you, but I do not think cases is right here. Also, are you sure you want to group two equations but only number one of them.

If I understand you correctly, I'd try with one of these, depending on if citing the group or one of the equations.

\starttext

\startformula \startalign[location=packed,fences=sesac] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR%[eq:bar-a] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:bar-b] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula

\stoptext

/Mikael ___________________________________________________________________________________ If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________ If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net ___________________________________________________________________________________

It is common, when writing a system of equations, to put a brace on the left. It could make sense to number this system of equations with a single number, on the right and aligned with the right margin. It would also make sense for this number to be aligned with the middle of the two equations of the system. A brace on the right would not introduce the grouping as a system of equations, rather as a pair of equations sharing a common number. Alan On Wed, 9 Oct 2024 12:20:00 -0400 Alan Bowen wrote:

I understand. The reasoning makes sense to me and, as editor of a paper in which this appears, I will ask the author to consider dropping the brace.

I wonder of there is some similar thinking underlying the fact that \startcases... puts the equation number so close to the equation itself and not at a margin (typically right).

Again, many thanks, Mikael. Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 12:12 PM Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

...

Hi,

I think what you ask for was never supported in ConTeXt, for a reason. The idea is that either one groups a set of equations with a brace and numbers them with one number, or one does not group, and then one can number each line separately/independently. Grouping on the left with a brace and numbering one line to the right is, even if we see that often, not really logical.

If there is a large request for doing this, I can talk to Hans about it, maybe it is easy on the code side to support it. But I remember from when we were messing with numbering, and in particular when there are alignments, that it is a bit complicated.

/Mikael

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 5:19 PM Alan Bowen wrote:

...

Thank you, Mikael. That is very helpful and much appreciated.

What I now have is: \startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR[eq:1] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:2] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula which put the numbers at the right margin,as I wanted.

So how do I get a brace on the left rather than on the right? Or is

there documentation that explains this?

...

Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:22 AM Mikael Sundqvist

wrote:

...

...

Hi,

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:45 PM Alan Bowen

wrote:

...

...

I have the following which works, except for the fact that the

equation number does not go to the right margin.

...

\startplaceformula \startformula[align=middle, prefix=no] \startcases[distance=2pt] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC\hfill n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime.\NR[eq04] \stopcases \stopformula \stopplaceformula

I expect that I have missed something pretty basic here, so any

guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I misunderstand you, but I do not think cases is right here. Also, are you sure you want to group two equations but only number one of them.

If I understand you correctly, I'd try with one of these, depending on if citing the group or one of the equations.

\starttext

\startformula \startalign[location=packed,fences=sesac] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR%[eq:bar-a] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:bar-b] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula

\stoptext

/Mikael

Hi Mikael, My personal experience with numbered equations gathered with a big left curly brace (assuming that the numbers are put to the right of formulas) is that it is very useful (or indispensable…) to be able to number each equation and be able to refer to them. For instance, when one writes a partial differential equation, usually there are boundary conditions, initial conditions and such, which may take 3, 4 or 5 lines of equations (some authors may even have more than that, but I personally avoid it…). It is useful to be able to refer to each of these equations, either by numebring them as subformulas, or numebering them sequentially. It is true that in this case, that is when each line has a number, usually one does not number the whole system of equations gathered by the big left brace. The optimal solution would be to have the option to number each line, or to number them as subformulas. For instance in the following minimal example (based on one of your answers some time ago), the reference to « eq:Robin » does not work and the numbers of each line of the PDE problem are not correctly aligned to the right. % begin example alignedcases.tex \definemathsimplealign[pdeproblem][ left={\startmathfenced[cases]}, right=\stopmathfenced, align={1:right,2:left,3:left}, strut=yes, ] \define[1]\eqref{(\in[eq:#1])} \starttext A function $u$ is said to be harmonic in $\Omega$ if \placeformula[eq:Harmonic] \startformula \Delta u = 0 \quad\text{in }\, \Omega. \stopformula For a given potential $V$ defined on $\partial\Omega$ and a smooth function $\phi$ defined on $\partial\Omega$, study here the PDE \placeformula \startformula \startpdeproblem \NC - \Delta u \NC = 0 \NC \qquad\text{in } \Omega \NR[eq:Harmonic-1] \NC \frac{\partial u}{\partial {\bi n}} \NC = V u + \phi \NC \qquad\text{on } \partial\Omega \NR[eq:Robin] \stoppdeproblem \stopformula In the above PDE problem, the boundary condition \eqref{eq:Robin} may be replaced by a nonlinear condition such as \startformula \frac{\partial u}{\partial {\bi n}} \NC = V u + u^3 \qquad\text{on } \partial\Omega, \stopformula while the notion of a harmonic function \eqref{Harmonic} may be replaced with \startformula -{\rm div}(a(x)\nabla u) = 0 \quad\text{in }\, \Omega. \stopformula \stoptext % end example alignedcases.tex Best regards: Otared

On 10 Oct 2024, at 07:32, Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

Hi,

A. Bowen: The cases are meant for when you divide something into cases, as in the example below with the absolute value. It is a kind of inline part of a formula, and I would claim that when you number an equation, you do not number one case of a cases, but the equation. If you refer to it, you talk abou "the second line in (1)" if you need to specify. I also get a bit curious, are you editor of some math journal that is typeset by ConTeXt?

A. Braslau: I agree that it is common to put the brace on the left, but I insist that it makes more sense to put it on the right _if_ you have equation numbers on the right. If equation numbers are to the left, it makes sense to put the brace on the left. Nevertheless, to put the brace on the left side and numbering on the right is possible (see example below). But the equation number in this case is sitting in between the two equations, and that is disturbing. If there would be three lines, one could argue that it would sit on the middle one. Or not distinguish it from the case where it sits on the middle line.

The good thing is of course that one can do as one please.

\starttext \startformula \abs{x} = \startcases \NC x, \NC x > 0; \NR \NC 0, \NC x = 0; \NR \NC -x, \NC x < 0. \NR \stopcases \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startformula \startalign [location=packed,fences=cases] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\stoptext

/Mikael

On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 2:21 AM Alan Braslau via ntg-context wrote:

...

It is common, when writing a system of equations, to put a brace on the left. It could make sense to number this system of equations with a single number, on the right and aligned with the right margin. It would also make sense for this number to be aligned with the middle of the two equations of the system.

A brace on the right would not introduce the grouping as a system of equations, rather as a pair of equations sharing a common number.

Alan

On Wed, 9 Oct 2024 12:20:00 -0400 Alan Bowen wrote:

...

I understand. The reasoning makes sense to me and, as editor of a paper in which this appears, I will ask the author to consider dropping the brace.

I wonder of there is some similar thinking underlying the fact that \startcases... puts the equation number so close to the equation itself and not at a margin (typically right).

Again, many thanks, Mikael. Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 12:12 PM Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

...

Hi,

I think what you ask for was never supported in ConTeXt, for a reason. The idea is that either one groups a set of equations with a brace and numbers them with one number, or one does not group, and then one can number each line separately/independently. Grouping on the left with a brace and numbering one line to the right is, even if we see that often, not really logical.

If there is a large request for doing this, I can talk to Hans about it, maybe it is easy on the code side to support it. But I remember from when we were messing with numbering, and in particular when there are alignments, that it is a bit complicated.

/Mikael

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 5:19 PM Alan Bowen wrote:

...

Thank you, Mikael. That is very helpful and much appreciated.

What I now have is: \startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR[eq:1] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:2] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula which put the numbers at the right margin,as I wanted.

So how do I get a brace on the left rather than on the right? Or is

there documentation that explains this?

...

Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:22 AM Mikael Sundqvist

wrote:

...

...

Hi,

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:45 PM Alan Bowen

wrote:

...

> > I have the following which works, except for the fact that the equation number does not go to the right margin. > > \startplaceformula > \startformula[align=middle, prefix=no] > \startcases[distance=2pt] > \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR > \NC\hfill n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime.\NR[eq04] > \stopcases > \stopformula > \stopplaceformula > > I expect that I have missed something pretty basic here, so any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I misunderstand you, but I do not think cases is right here. Also, are you sure you want to group two equations but only number one of them.

If I understand you correctly, I'd try with one of these, depending on if citing the group or one of the equations.

\starttext

\startformula \startalign[location=packed,fences=sesac] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR%[eq:bar-a] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:bar-b] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula

\stoptext

/Mikael

---

If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________ If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net ___________________________________________________________________________________

Otared Kavian e-mail: otared@gmail.com Phone: +33 6 88 26 70 95

Hi, Mikael— In answer to your question: I am one of two editors of *Aestimatio: Sources and Studies in the History of Science*, where the science in question is premodern. As it turns out, our publications tend to the history of mathematics and astronomy (Babylonian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Arabic), where the math, though common enough, is pretty much limited to arithmetical computations and trigonometry. The paper that introduced the problem of grouping is actually a lengthy review of a book on Heron’s *Arithmetica*. Your exchanges with Aditya are very interesting and, for me, most informative. Many thanks! Alan On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 1:36 AM Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

Hi,

A. Bowen: The cases are meant for when you divide something into cases, as in the example below with the absolute value. It is a kind of inline part of a formula, and I would claim that when you number an equation, you do not number one case of a cases, but the equation. If you refer to it, you talk abou "the second line in (1)" if you need to specify. I also get a bit curious, are you editor of some math journal that is typeset by ConTeXt?

A. Braslau: I agree that it is common to put the brace on the left, but I insist that it makes more sense to put it on the right _if_ you have equation numbers on the right. If equation numbers are to the left, it makes sense to put the brace on the left. Nevertheless, to put the brace on the left side and numbering on the right is possible (see example below). But the equation number in this case is sitting in between the two equations, and that is disturbing. If there would be three lines, one could argue that it would sit on the middle one. Or not distinguish it from the case where it sits on the middle line.

The good thing is of course that one can do as one please.

\starttext \startformula \abs{x} = \startcases \NC x, \NC x > 0; \NR \NC 0, \NC x = 0; \NR \NC -x, \NC x < 0. \NR \stopcases \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startformula \startalign [location=packed,fences=cases] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\stoptext

/Mikael

On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 2:21 AM Alan Braslau via ntg-context wrote:

...

It is common, when writing a system of equations, to put a brace on the left. It could make sense to number this system of equations with a single number, on the right and aligned with the right margin. It would also make sense for this number to be aligned with the middle of the two equations of the system.

A brace on the right would not introduce the grouping as a system of equations, rather as a pair of equations sharing a common number.

Alan

On Wed, 9 Oct 2024 12:20:00 -0400 Alan Bowen wrote:

...

I understand. The reasoning makes sense to me and, as editor of a paper in which this appears, I will ask the author to consider dropping the brace.

I wonder of there is some similar thinking underlying the fact that \startcases... puts the equation number so close to the equation itself and not at a margin (typically right).

Again, many thanks, Mikael. Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 12:12 PM Mikael Sundqvist wrote:

...

Hi,

I think what you ask for was never supported in ConTeXt, for a reason. The idea is that either one groups a set of equations with a brace and numbers them with one number, or one does not group, and then one can number each line separately/independently. Grouping on the left with a brace and numbering one line to the right is, even if we see that often, not really logical.

If there is a large request for doing this, I can talk to Hans about it, maybe it is easy on the code side to support it. But I remember from when we were messing with numbering, and in particular when there are alignments, that it is a bit complicated.

/Mikael

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 5:19 PM Alan Bowen wrote:

...

Thank you, Mikael. That is very helpful and much appreciated.

What I now have is: \startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR[eq:1] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:2] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula which put the numbers at the right margin,as I wanted.

So how do I get a brace on the left rather than on the right? Or is

there documentation that explains this?

...

Alan

On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:22 AM Mikael Sundqvist

wrote:

...

...

Hi,

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:45 PM Alan Bowen

wrote:

...

> > I have the following which works, except for the fact that the equation number does not go to the right margin. > > \startplaceformula > \startformula[align=middle, prefix=no] > \startcases[distance=2pt] > \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR > \NC\hfill n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime.\NR[eq04] > \stopcases > \stopformula > \stopplaceformula > > I expect that I have missed something pretty basic here, so any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I misunderstand you, but I do not think cases is right here. Also, are you sure you want to group two equations but only number one of them.

If I understand you correctly, I'd try with one of these, depending on if citing the group or one of the equations.

\starttext

\startformula \startalign[location=packed,fences=sesac] \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\]\NR \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR \stopalign \numberhere[eq:foo] \stopformula

\startplaceformula \startformula \startalign \NC \[21-(9 - n^2)\NC =□^\prime\] \NR%[eq:bar-a] \NC n^2+12 \NC=□^\prime. \NR[eq:bar-b] \stopalign \stopformula \stopplaceformula

\stoptext

/Mikael

___________________________________________________________________________________

...

If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________ If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / https://mailman.ntg.nl/mailman3/lists/ntg-context.ntg.nl webpage : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / https://context.aanhet.net (mirror) archive : https://github.com/contextgarden/context wiki : https://wiki.contextgarden.net

___________________________________________________________________________________