How to leave open parenthesis in equations

If you use \left( and \right) the syntax checker will not allow you not to close (or not to open) the parenthesis. To get your LaTeX code correct you have to use \left. or \right. to have it closed.

This is useful for instance when you want to add new lines with parenthesis open or write cases like 

$\left\{
   \begin{array}{l c l}
      x &\rightarrow& y \\
      z &\rightarrow& w
    \end{array}
\right.$