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Consider the below single-line and multi-line subscripts.

a_{1,2,3} 
b_{ \substack{ 1, 2, 3 \\ + 4, 5, 6 } }

enter image description here

I wish to align the 1 and 4 in the multiline b subscript. Merely changing substack to an aligned environment however affects the font-size of the subscript.

b_{ \begin{aligned} & 1, 2, 3 \\ + & 4, 5, 6 \end{aligned} }

enter image description here

Use of aligned has increased the subscript font-size to be that of non-subscripted text. Haphazardly \scriptscriptstyle does not seem to affect the font-size.

b_{ \scriptscriptstyle \begin{aligned} \scriptscriptstyle & 1, 2, 3 \\ \scriptscriptstyle + & 4, 5, 6 \end{aligned} }

How can I create alignment in multi-line subscripts while preserving the subscript font-size?

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1 Answer 1

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Insert a \phantom component that matches the component causing the misalignment.

enter image description here

\documentclass{article} \usepackage{amsmath} \begin{document} \begin{align*} & a_{1,2,3} \\ & b_{ \substack{ \phantom{+} 1, 2, 3 \\ + 4, 5, 6 }} \end{align*} \end{document}
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    +1. I'd also consider inserting \!\! (two negative thinspaces) between b_{ and \substack, to "snug up" the two-line subscript material to its parent (b). Commented Jan 7, 2022 at 8:48
  • Ahh my actual use-case precludes a simple solution like phantom, since the subscripted expressions are complicated equations which need a more complicated alignment. This is the curse of stack exchange - it is impossible to create a minimum working example that satisfies the pedants while not misleading the answers! :^) Commented Jan 28, 2022 at 0:52
  • @AntiEarth: Depending on your complicated setup, \phantom should still do the trick. Commented Jan 28, 2022 at 1:22

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