# Math Help - why won't this work?

1. ## why won't this work?

\begin{align*}\text{If }f&=x^x\\&\text{then}\\ln(f)&=lnx^x\\&=xlnx\end{al ign*}

When i separate it out it sort of works but when I put it together it won't work at all.

2. ## Re: why won't this work?

Originally Posted by Melody2
\begin{align*}\text{If }f&=x^x\\&\text{then}\\ln(f)&=lnx^x\\&=xlnx\end{al ign*}

When i separate it out it sort of works but when I put it together it won't work at all.
Were you looking for something more like this?

\begin{align} \text{If }f & = & x^x \\ & \text{then} & \\ ln(f) & = & lnx^x \\ & = & xlnx \end{align}

-Dan

3. ## Re: why won't this work?

Thanks Dan
I know that yours works and mine doesn't.
I know that leaving out the * is of no consequence
I can see that you have added some & to change the formatting and although I do not really understand what they are doing I don't think they should make a difference to whether or not it works.( I would like to know what they are doing but I can look that up elsewhere I am sure.)

So I can't see what you have done differently that makes it work. It doesn't matter too much I know programming is frustrating like this.
I am very new to Latex and I have no knowledge of html. I am just learning by copying and you've given me some new ideas anyway.
Thanks
Melody.

4. ## Re: why won't this work?

Originally Posted by Melody2
Thanks Dan
I know that yours works and mine doesn't.
I know that leaving out the * is of no consequence
I can see that you have added some & to change the formatting and although I do not really understand what they are doing I don't think they should make a difference to whether or not it works.( I would like to know what they are doing but I can look that up elsewhere I am sure.)

So I can't see what you have done differently that makes it work. It doesn't matter too much I know programming is frustrating like this.
I am very new to Latex and I have no knowledge of html. I am just learning by copying and you've given me some new ideas anyway.
Thanks
Melody.
It's all part of the service.

Personally I'd've put it on three lines. It's easier to write and easier to debug.

-Dan