How to add a superscript within a parenthesis while also using another symbol to a ggplot y axis title?

Question

I am trying to add a superscript to my Y-axis title on ggplot but can't get it to work. I looked at similar questions on here such as this one, but I think that because I have another symbol within the same parenthesis it is not working.

I need my Y-axis title label to be: Total Density (individuals ∙ L⁻¹)

I have tried the following:

1.

labs(y="Total Density (individuals ∙"~L^-1)

which almost works but I can't figure out how to add the closing parenthesis to this

2.

labs(y="Total Density"~(individuals ∙ L^-1))

gives an error

3.

labs(y="Total Density"~(individuals~L^-1))

this works, except when I try to add the multiplication ∙ symbol

4.

ylab("Total Density" "(individuals p "~L^-1*")")

this also gives an error

5.

ylab("Total Density" (~individuals ∙ L^-1))

gives an error

6.

labs(y=expression(Total~Density~(~individuals~∙~L^{-1})))

error

7.

labs(y=expression(Total~Density~(individuals ∙ L^-1)))

error

8.

ylab(bquote('Total Density (individuals ∙ L^-1)'))

not putting the "-1" as superscript

9.

ylab(bquote('Total Density (individuals ∙ L'^-1))

almost works but again, can't figure out how to add the closing parenthesis to this

I feel like I am close to get what I need, but no matter what I do I can't get it to work. Is there another way I should be typing in the multiplication sign to get this to work? I basically just copied/pasted "∙" to be there.

Answer 1

You can use bquote(Total~density~(Individuals%.%L^-1))

ggplot(mtcars, aes(wt, mpg)) +
  geom_point() +
  labs(y = bquote(Total~density~(Individuals%.%L^-1)))