Re: super-super-scripts

On 7/2/2026 3:38 AM, Jim Diamond via ntg-context wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> plain TeX typesets the expression
>          ${x^n}^3$
> so that the baseline of the 3 is higher than the baseline of the n.
> 
> ConTeXt typesets the expression
>          \im{{x^n}^3}
> so that the baseline of the 3 is the same as the baseline of the n.
> 
> Is this intentional?

Of course.

\setupbodyfont[pagella]

\starttext

      \permanent\protected\def\pow#1#2{\mathord{#1}^{2}}

      \im{x^n^3}

      \im{(x^n)^3}

      \im{{\green 21} {\blue +} {\red x^n}^{\darkgray 3}}

      \im{\mathord{x^n}^{\red 3}}

      \im{\pow{x^n}{3}}

      \im{\pow{x+n}{3}}

\stoptext

In Context math we want to focus on proper rendering without any need 
for manual intervention (these tiny used enforced spaces) that can mess 
up the result. We also want to focus on meaning and permits to set 
properties without interferance. For that reason there are some features 
that we enable by default, like {} being just grouping characters and 
not atom creators. In a similar fashion we have primes as native feature 
and multiscripts and such. Also, a lot is about classes.

Out big test cases are Mikaels math books and lecture notes and so far 
we have not seen any negative side effects.

\setupbodyfont[pagella]

\starttext

      \permanent\protected\def\pow#1#2{\mathord{#1}^{2}} % think \frac

      \im{x^n^3}

      \im{(x^n)^3}

      \im{{\green 21} {\blue +} {\red x^n}^{\darkgray 3}}

      \im{\mathord{x^n}^{\red 3}}

      \im{\pow{x^n}{3}}

      \im{\pow{x+n}{3}}

\stoptext

Maybe this should be stressed a bit (which you will now do on the wiki.)

> (And I do know that if I use \im{x^{n^3}} the 3 is higher than the n, but I
> was wondering about \im{{x^n}^3}.)

In general for inline math these super-super scripts sit somewhat low so 
they are not that disctinctive. In the perspective of hot-topic 
hyper-accessibility one can argue for (x^n) so make the super-super 
script stand out more.

We can have a vote on \pow I guess but I leave that to Mikael and Aditya 
and you as math {\red pow}er users.

Hans


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