number several equations with only one number

Question

How can I number several equations in a align environment using only one number?

For example

\begin{align}
w^T x_i + b \geqslant 1-\xi_i \text{ if } y_i=1, \nonumber \\
w^T x_i + b \leqslant -1+\xi_i \text{ if } y_i=-1,
\end{align}

The numbering will appear next to the second equation. But it would be better if it appears between the lines of the two equations.

In this case how to label this group of equations for later referring to?

Thanks and regards!

Answer 1

First of all, you probably don't want the align environment if you have only one column of equations. In fact, your example is probably best with the cases environment. But to answer your question directly, used the aligned environment within equation - this way the outside environment gives the number:

\begin{equation}
  \begin{aligned}
  w^T x_i + b &\geq 1-\xi_i &\text{ if }& y_i=1,  \\
  w^T x_i + b &\leq -1+\xi_i & \text{ if } &y_i=-1,
  \end{aligned}
\end{equation}

The documentation of the amsmath package explains this and more.