I need to typset a series of fractions with no line inside some paragraphs of text (they were used as proportional symbols). It is very simple, actually:

$^2\_1$, $^4\_2$,$^8\_4$

But when it comes to `$^{12}_{6}$`, the two numbers are not aligned vertically.

If I use a fraction `$\frac{12}{6}$` the alignment is good, but the horizontal line shouldn't be there.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,
A

```
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

I need this $^{12}_{6}$ aligned vertically like this $\frac{12}{6}$.

\end{document}

```

Following all answers, I have to say all of them work fine, but they do not produce a result which is identical to `$^{12}_{6}$`. The problem arises when you have more than one instance in the same context, and I believe the `$^{12}_{6}$` spacing is the optimal one. See the picture:

```
\documentclass{article}

\newcommand{\myfrac}%  % macro with LaTeX-style syntax
    [2]{\begin{array}{@{}c@{}}\scriptstyle #1 \\[-1.2ex]\scriptstyle #2\end{array}}
\begin{document}

\noindent Myfrac plus smash as by the example by Harish and Harold compared with optimal vertical spacing: $^{1}_{2}$, \smash{$\myfrac{22}{6}$}, $^{4}_{2}$, $^{2}_{1}$; can you see the difference? My proofreader will kill me, my proofreader will kill me, my proofreader will kill me :-).

\end{document}  

```

![The 2 in the second fraction is positioned lower](https://i.stack.imgur.com/QUMKf.png)