Post #1670108

In technical terms, are classified as ‘Bin’ (binary relations) math atoms, while angle brackets are classed as ‘Open’ and ‘Close’ math atoms (opening and closing delimiters). TeX automatically spaces different kinds of math atoms according to their types (see the table in chapter 18 of ‘The TeXbook’). If one really wanted to use symbols identical to as angle brackets, one could redefine the \langle and \rangle commands to (respectively) \mathopen{}. The \mathopen{...} and \mathclose{...} commands make TeX treat the subformula in the parameter as (respectively) an ‘Open’ and ‘Close’ math atom. 2/2