-2

Should equations and other mathematical statements be written in quotes? Like $s=t$ and $s < t$, or like "$s=t$" and "$s<t$"?

user107952
  • 20,508
  • 3
    I do not understand this question. Also it looks more like a https://math.meta.stackexchange.com/ question. Why do you feel the desire to put quotes? Simple answer: No. – Cornman Sep 05 '20 at 01:20
  • 1
    Obviously not in ordinary mathematical writing, so in what contexts? – Brian M. Scott Sep 05 '20 at 01:21
  • No, they shouldn't be written in quotes. – littleO Sep 05 '20 at 01:30
  • I am talking about the use-mention distinction. – user107952 Sep 05 '20 at 01:30
  • 1
    Why on earth would you put them in quotes? "I am talking about the use-mention distinction." What use-mention distinction? – fleablood Sep 05 '20 at 01:34
  • Equations that are mentioned in the sense of use-mention distinction are often labeled as (1), (1.1) or maybe (3.1.2) and then mentioned as Equation (1) or Eqn. (1.1) or Eq 3.1.2. – Randy Marsh Sep 05 '20 at 02:14
  • 2
    When I write $s=t$ I am using it, not mentioning it. -1 and vote to close because this is not mathematics. It may be English, it may be Philosophy, it isn't Mathematics. – Ross Millikan Sep 05 '20 at 02:14
  • @RossMillikan I apologize. I didn't realize it would be inappropriate for math stack exchange. – user107952 Sep 05 '20 at 02:16

1 Answers1

4

What do you find in your math texts? Normally, we do not use quotes. Unless it is a place where we would use quotes anyway...

"Tom," the teacher said, "what is the solution?"
Tom replied, "$x=5$."

added
The OP comments he is talking talking about the use-mention distinction. As far as I can tell, in mathematics we do not even normally use quotation marks for that. For example in a definition, we do not use quotation marks like this

Define "$\sqrt{x}\;$" as the principal value of $x^{1/2}$.

No, we just do it like this,

Define $\sqrt{x}\;$ as the principal value of $x^{1/2}$.

which may be confusing sometimes.

Here is an example of confusion. Since $\frac{2}{6} = \frac{1}{3}$, is it an error to say

The numerator of $\frac{2}{6}$ is $2$.

? How about saying

The numerator of "$\frac{2}{6}$" is $2$.

meaning the fraction we see there, not the number represented by it. Similar usages: $$ \sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{1}{2^k} \quad \text{is an integer} \\ \sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{1}{2^k} \quad \text{is a convergent series} \\ \sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{1}{2^k} \quad \text{is a difficult concept for beginners} $$

GEdgar
  • 111,679