Control the dots separation in math and text

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In math mode three different varieties of dots are used:

  1. \dotsb@, defined as

    \mathinner{\cdotp\cdotp\cdotp}
    

    for centered dots;

  2. \@cdots, defined in the same way, but it's a different macro, for dots between integral signs;

  3. \@ldots, that expands to the kernel's \mathellipsis, that is

    \mathinner{\ldotp\ldotp\ldotp}
    

If you want to change the spacing, you have to redefine all three macros.

For instance, you might want to add some negative kerning:

\renewcommand{\dotsb@}{%
  \mathinner{\cdotp\mkern-1mu\cdotp\mkern-1mu\cdotp}%
}

Why is there a kern also after the final period in \textellipsis? It's the American usage.

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Manuel
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Manuel

Updated on August 01, 2022

Comments

  • Manuel
    Manuel over 1 year

    I know how to control the spacing of the \textellipsis command. But I can't figure it out how to do so globally in all the versions of mathtools' \*dots.

    My idea is to use a global symbol to use \dots (in math mode) or \textellipsis (in text mode).

    How can I change the default spacing in ALL dots commands?

    I want smaller separation between them (but the same in all of them). Here's a minimal working example.

    \documentclass{scrartcl}
    
    \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
    \usepackage{mathtools}
    \usepackage{newunicodechar}
    
    \newunicodechar{…}{\dots}
    
    \DeclareTextCommandDefault{\textellipsis}{%
        .\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
        .\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
        .\kern.35\fontdimen3\font}
    
    \begin{document}
    …a...a{\textellipsis}a…a$…=…=a\times…\times a$
    \end{document}
    

    By the way, shouldn't the definition of \textellipsis look more like this?

    \DeclareTextCommandDefault{\textellipsis}{%
        .\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
        .\kern.35\fontdimen3\font
        .}%\kern.35\fontdimen3\font}
    

    Update

    After posting here I started to see ellipsis package everywhere (until now I “never hear of it” but now it's everywhere :P). Which redefines the \textellipsis in a more convenient way (and takes in account something similar to my last definition of \textellipsis). But, still, doesn't solve the problem with math \dots.

  • Manuel
    Manuel over 9 years
    Great. By the way, instead of \cdotp\mkern-1mu I think {\cdotp}\kern.35\fontdimen3\font would be better to be “coherent”. American usage, well if I don't want that, then there is no problem with redefining all those commands \dotsb@, \@cdots, \@ldots, and \textellipsis without the last kern? Or is there something I should be aware of?
  • egreg
    egreg over 9 years
    @Manuel You're right, the last kern is not needed. However, \mathinner adds a thin space on both sides in display and text style.