Operation Manual

Brackets and matrices
If you want to use a matrix in a formula, you have to use a matrix command. For example, matrix
{ a # b ## c # d } gives the resulting matrix
a b
c d
in the formula, where rows are
separated by two hashes (#) and entries within each row are separated by one hash (#).
Normally, when you use brackets within a matrix, the brackets do not scale as the matrix increases
in size. For example, ( matrix { a # b ## c # d } ) gives the result
(
a b
c d
)
To overcome this problem, LibreOffice Math provides scalable brackets that grow in size to match
the size of a matrix. The commands left( and right) have to be used to create scalable
brackets within a matrix. For example, left( matrix { a # b ## c # d } right) gives
the result
(
a b
c d
)
where the matrix is now bracketed by scalable brackets.
Scalable brackets can be used with any element of a formula, such as a fraction or square root.
Tip
Use the commands left[ and right] to obtain scalable square brackets. A list of all
brackets available within Math can be found in Appendix A, Commands Reference, in
the Math Guide.
Tip
If you want all brackets to be scalable, go to Format > Spacing to open the Spacing
dialog. Click on Category, select Brackets from the drop-down list and then select the
option Scale all brackets.
Unpaired brackets
When using brackets in a formula, Math expects that for every opening bracket there will be a
closing one. If you forget to add a closing bracket, Math places an inverted question mark next to
where the closing bracket should have been placed. This inverted question mark disappears when
all the brackets are paired. However, an unpaired bracket is sometimes necessary and you have
the following options.
Non-scalable brackets
A backslash \ is placed before a non-scalable bracket to indicate that the following character
should not be regarded as a bracket, but as a literal character.
For example, the unpaired brackets in the formula [ a; b [ are deliberate, but gives the result
¿
a ;b ¿
¿
. To remove the inverted question marks and create unpaired brackets, backslashes are
added. The formula now becomes \ [ a; b \ [ and the result
[a ; b[
shows unpaired
brackets without the inverted question marks.
Scalable brackets
To create unpaired scalable brackets or braces in a formula, the markup commands left, right,
and none are used.
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