Re: There is a severe problem with EQN and square roots

Hi Sigfrid,

the problem with square roots in groff's eqn is that groff only knows
a single type of square root (the small one). Therefore if an equation
requires a higher square root, the only thing groff can do is set the
small one in a larger size, and you get an overly thick, overly wide
symbol as a result. This is demonstrated in your squareroot-problem.pdf.

The proper solution to this, IMO, is to use fonts which include multiple
types of square root symbols and to make eqn use these symbols when they
are available. This is what TeX does and it's also how neateqn has
approached the problem.

Cheers,
onf