[Math4u] Mathematical notation

Brian wrote:

 

"...but I would like everyone to speak the same language."

 

Thank you (again) Brian (and Vinaire).

 

One of the universal appeals of mathematics is that the notation used by those who know the subject is standard.  It makes no difference what (meta)language is being used for the text, the symbolic language is the same all over this world.  It makes no difference if you read left to right or right to left or top to bottom, the mathematical symbolism is standard.

 

There are thousands of mathematical dictionaries and encyclopedias published in most of the written languages used in this world.  One of them should be part of every person's library, especially if they are students of the subject.

 

The internet has some good sites for mathematics, the ultimate being Wolfram's sites, but there is a lot of incorrect information out there, since anyone can post anything they wish to post, right or wrong.

 

So look it up, use it correctly and then we will all be able to communicate with the same understandings, don't just try to pass a test or pass that course because it is needed for your degree.  Learn something about the subject.

 

By the way, my four mathematical dictionaries all define the colon symbol as used in mathematics to be the symbol for a "ratio," and a ratio as the comparison or division of two quantities that are expressed in the same units.  If the units are different, the comparison is called a "rate."

 

Also, the horizontal line which separates the "numerator" (Latin for "number") and "denominator" (Latin for "name") of a fraction has a name.  It is a "vinculum."  (Look it up; the name has also been used for other things since the original Latin, but in mathematics it is still the horizontal line separating the parts of a fraction.)  Now, of course, the backslash is generally used since it is easier to put things all on one line, but then parentheses need to be used to indicate the grouping, etc., etc., etc.

 

My point is simple:  Learn the symbolic language used in mathematics if you want to try to communicate your ideas.

 

Buck Dick

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