# Separate Numbering for Problems in LaTeX

By default when using the `amsthm` to create environments such as theorems, claims and problems, they all use the same numbering. Sometimes it’s annoying, as the numbering for the problems should generally be unaffected by the theorems present (or lack of them). For example the default behavior produces:

``````Problem 1
Problem 2
Theorem 3
Problem 4
``````

where the desired behavior would be (in my opinion):

``````Problem 1
Problem 2
Theorem 1
Problem 3
``````

Fortunately, this can be done by redefining the `problem` environment.

``````\let\problem\@undefined % undefines the existing problem environment
\theoremstyle{definition} % set the style of the new environment to 'definition'
\newtheorem{problem}{\protect\problemname} % (re)define the 'problem' environment
``````

The `\theoremstyle` can be one of three defaults `plain`, `definition` and `remark` or some custom style defined using `\newtheoremstyle`.

See `amsthm`‘s documentation for more information, such as subordinately numbering (numbering per section).