Fraction in LaTeX

A fraction is written as \frac{numerator}{denominator}. Inside a sentence LaTeX shrinks the fraction so it does not stretch the line; when you want full height, use \dfrac from the amsmath package.

\frac{a}{b}

$\dfrac{1}{2} mv^2$

\frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}}

x^{1/2}

Common mistakes

• Missing braces: \frac12 works for single digits, but \frac 10 2 does not.
• Using \dfrac in a superscript, where the fraction becomes too large. Write a/b there instead.

See also

• Square root in LaTeX
• Superscript and subscript in LaTeX
• Brackets in LaTeX