Subscripts and superscripts are essential elements in mathematical notation, scientific formulas, and various other fields. LaTeX provides simple and powerful ways to create these elements, enhancing the readability and precision of your documents.

Basic Syntax

In LaTeX, you can create subscripts using the underscore (_) character and superscripts using the caret (^) character. These symbols are typically used within math mode.

Subscripts

To create a subscript, use the underscore followed by the subscript text:

$x_1$

This produces: x₁

Superscripts

For superscripts, use the caret symbol followed by the superscript text:

$x^2$

This produces: x²

Multiple Characters

When your subscript or superscript consists of multiple characters, enclose them in curly braces:

$x_{12}$ and $y^{a+b}$

This produces: x₁₂ and yᵃ⁺ᵇ

Combining Subscripts and Superscripts

You can use both subscripts and superscripts on the same base character:

$x_1^2$

This produces: x₁²

The order of the subscript and superscript doesn't matter in LaTeX, but it's conventional to put the subscript first:

$x_1^2$ is equivalent to $x^2_1$

Common Applications

Mathematical Notation

Subscripts and superscripts are frequently used in mathematical expressions:

$\sum_{i=1}^n i^2 = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}$

Chemical Formulas

They're also essential for representing chemical formulas:

H$_2$O, CO$_2$, Fe$_2$O$_3$

Best Practices

Use math mode for subscripts and superscripts in mathematical contexts.
Enclose multi-character subscripts or superscripts in curly braces.
Consider using the \textrm{} command for non-mathematical text in subscripts or superscripts.
For complex formulas, consider using equation environments for better formatting and numbering.

Advanced Usage

For more complex mathematical expressions, LaTeX offers additional commands:

\sideset: For multiple subscripts and superscripts on summation symbols.
\substack: For creating multi-line subscripts or superscripts.

These advanced features are part of the AMS-LaTeX package, which provides enhanced mathematical typesetting capabilities.

Conclusion

Mastering subscripts and superscripts in LaTeX is crucial for creating professional-looking documents in mathematics, science, and engineering. With the syntax and examples provided here, you can effectively incorporate these elements into your LaTeX documents, enhancing their clarity and precision.