Various aspects of writing mathematics such as style, notation, grammar, frequently used phrases and common mistakes.
Questions tagged [article-writing]
453 questions
4
votes
1 answer
Analytic vs. Analytical
I am trying write an article.
Little Summary:
I have developed some tools to analyze derivative of some function $f$. This characterization leads to better results than previous works that only studied the function itself.
I am trying to say…
Boby
- 5,985
3
votes
2 answers
When writing a mathematical model for non-mathematical audiences, how do you begin a sentence defining a variables and parameters?
Say you are writing a mathematical modeling paper in a science journal. How do you write your variable and parameter definitions in paragraph form so that you keep active voice but do not sound repetitive. For example
"$x$ is the average rate of…
3
votes
1 answer
Does 'hence' (thus, therefore) need a comma after it?
In mathematical papers, when "hence" is placed at the beginning of a sentence, I have observed that some authors use a comma while others do not. The same issue can arise with "therefore" or "thus" as well.
For example:
Hence, by Lemma 5.2, $G$ has…
licheng
- 2,266
3
votes
2 answers
When to begin a new paragraph?
When writing a mathematical article, when should someone begin a new paragraph? Is there some specific rule or convention?
And more generally, what rules are there about articles-writing?
Daniel Robert-Nicoud
- 29,795
3
votes
1 answer
Comma after a list of objects in mathematical writing
I am pondering about comma rules/conventions in mathematical writing. Consider the following example:
We prove that the variables
$A, \; B, \; C$
are equal. Hence the equations
$A = B, \; B = C, \; A = C$
are valid.
When typing a document, the…
shuhalo
- 7,485
3
votes
1 answer
The following question is about the expression "The following."
In a mathematical document,
it is common to have some English prose leading into a mathematical display
and continuing after it.
The display is some computation or equation, written symbolically,
centered and with some space above and…
j0equ1nn
- 3,429
3
votes
3 answers
Shorthand for $0
Is it good style to write $0
Real Dreams
- 515
3
votes
0 answers
When should we use `\frak{...}` in LaTeX
I saw in a note that when writing a paper some notations must be written by \frak{ }, in LaTeX, I want to know what the meaning of some notations is, and where I can find a source for these types of points of writing? For example, if $R$ is a…
2
votes
4 answers
Use of the word "shall" in mathematical writing
Sometimes I really want to use the word "shall" in my writing. But I get unnerved because I got a feeling it's pretentious or outdated. Any opinions?
Is it a nice variation on "will"?
Other alternatives?
Patrick
- 407
2
votes
0 answers
Enunciation in mathematical text (style)
I'm writing longer mathematical texts (lecture notes) regularly, and I don't know where else to ask this question.
I regularly find myself enunciating (in the typographical sense) every statement I make. This means that I will put any even vaguely…
Gargantuar
- 500
2
votes
2 answers
What is good english grammar and punctuation with mathematics statements?
Consider the following alternative paragraphs containing a line of mathematics. The mathematics is in its own line (thus not in line with the text), e.g., for the sake of emphasis.
This paragraph contains a mathematical expression
$$f(x)\to…
pele
- 51
2
votes
1 answer
How can we express this sentence more concisely?
Let $w_1,w_2,w_3,w_4$ be vertices of $K_4$.
The sentence I intend to express is the following:
Based on how the four vertices $w_i$'s are placed in the sphere,
there are possibly two drawings of
$K_4$.
Firstly, I am unsure if the statement is…
licheng
- 2,266
2
votes
1 answer
An English expression problem about making symmetric differences over multiple sets
I give the definition of symmetric difference of two sets in my article.
The symmetric difference of two sets is the set of elements that are in either of the sets but not in their intersection.
A more formal definition:
The symmetric difference…
licheng
- 2,266
2
votes
2 answers
Is writing $m=\text{undefined}$ formally correct?
I often find some of my students write $m=\text{undefined}$ in their answer sheets. Is it formally correct? Should I suggest them to write $m$ is undefined instead?
For example the question is
Determine the slope $m$ for a line passing through…
Display Name
- 2,715
2
votes
0 answers
Which Mathematical Concepts and Objects Do Not Require Citations in an Article?
I very much want to give credit where credit is due and avoid accusations of plagiarism. Obviously certain mathematical concepts (e.g., addition) and objects (e.g., the set of Fibonacci numbers) are so widely known that to provide citations for…
JustAsking
- 307