Document 681

Resetting theorem numbering for new divisions

Version: 3.x, 4.x, 5.x - Scientific WorkPlace & Scientific Word

You can reset the numbering of theorem-like environments to 1 for each new document division instead of having numbering run consecutively throughout your document. The division number is then included in the numbering scheme for the theorem-like environments.

If you're familiar with LaTeX and the \newtheorem statements that determine the numbering scheme and appear in the preamble of your document, you can provide independent instead of common numbering for theorem-like environments using an alternate form of the statements:

\newtheorem{counter}{counter_title}[numbered_within]

The numbered_within parameter, which is the name of an already defined division counter, determines when the counter is reset to 1.

NoteMake a backup copy of your document before you make any modifications to the preamble.

  1. From the Typeset menu, choose Preamble.

  2. Scroll through the commands to find the \newtheorem statement for the environment whose numbering you want to reset.

    The statements usually have the form: \newtheorem{counter}[counter_basis]{Counter_title}.

  3. Remove the [counter_basis] argument from the middle of the command if it exists.

  4. Add the [numbered_within] argument to the end of the command.

  5. Choose OK.

Examples

The numbering of theorem-like environments in the Standard LaTeX Article shell is controlled by these \newtheorem statements in the document preamble:

\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}

\newtheorem{acknowledgement}[theorem]{Acknowledgement}

\newtheorem{algorithm}[theorem]{Algorithm}

\newtheorem{axiom}[theorem]{Axiom}

\newtheorem{case}[theorem]{Case}

\newtheorem{claim}[theorem]{Claim}

\newtheorem{conclusion}[theorem]{Conclusion}

\newtheorem{condition}[theorem]{Condition}

\newtheorem{conjecture}[theorem]{Conjecture}

\newtheorem{corollary}[theorem]{Corollary}

\newtheorem{criterion}[theorem]{Criterion}

\newtheorem{definition}[theorem]{Definition}

\newtheorem{example}[theorem]{Example}

\newtheorem{exercise}[theorem]{Exercise}

\newtheorem{lemma}[theorem]{Lemma}

\newtheorem{notation}[theorem]{Notation}

\newtheorem{problem}[theorem]{Problem}

\newtheorem{proposition}[theorem]{Proposition}

\newtheorem{remark}[theorem]{Remark}

\newtheorem{solution}[theorem]{Solution}

\newtheorem{summary}[theorem]{Summary}

These statements specify the theorem environment, and then specify that all other theorem-like environments are numbered according to how the theorem environment is numbered. This gives numbering like Theorem 1, Lemma 2, Corollary 3, Theorem 4, Lemma 5, etc.

If you want to keep this style of numbering, but include the section number, then the only change needed is to the \newtheorem statement for the theorem environment. Changing the command for the theorem environment to:

\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[section]

will result in numbering like Theorem 2.1, Lemma 2.2, Corollary 2.3, Theorem 2.4, Lemma 2.5, etc. where the "2." is the section number. The right side of the numbering will reset to one at the beginning of each section.

If you want independent numbering of each theorem like environment, but still numbering within each section, then you would add [section] to the end of each \newtheorem statement, removing [theorem]. That is, you would use the following in the document preamble:

\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[section]

\newtheorem{acknowledgement}{Acknowledgement}[section]

\newtheorem{algorithm}{Algorithm}[section]

\newtheorem{axiom}{Axiom}[section]

\newtheorem{case}{Case}[section]

\newtheorem{claim}{Claim}[section]

\newtheorem{conclusion}{Conclusion}[section]

\newtheorem{condition}{Condition}[section]

\newtheorem{conjecture}{Conjecture}[section]

\newtheorem{corollary}{Corollary}[section]

\newtheorem{criterion}{Criterion}[section]

\newtheorem{definition}{Definition}[section]

\newtheorem{example}{Example}[section]

\newtheorem{exercise}{Exercise}[section]

\newtheorem{lemma}{Lemma}[section]

\newtheorem{notation}{Notation}[section]

\newtheorem{problem}{Problem}[section]

\newtheorem{proposition}{Proposition}[section]

\newtheorem{remark}{Remark}[section]

\newtheorem{solution}{Solution}[section]

\newtheorem{summary}{Summary}[section]

This will result in numbering like Theorem 2.1, Lemma 2.1, Corollary 2.1, Theorem 2.2, Lemma 2.2, etc. where the "2." is the section number.

These examples are appropriate for most article style typesetting specifications where section is the highest division level. If using a book or report typesetting specification, chapter is the highest division level. Just substitute section with chapter in the above if you want to make the same type of changes to a document using a book or report typesetting specification.

See also

Last revised 12/22/09

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