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Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [notation]

Questions on the meaning, history, and usage of mathematical symbols and notation. Please remember to mention where (book, paper, webpage, etc.) you encountered any mathematical notation you are asking about.

Before asking a question on the site, please check if you can find your answer in Earliest Uses of Various Mathematical Symbols or the book A History of Mathematical Notations.

Alternatively, a textbook or paper usually takes the time to explain the notation they're using; please remember to mention where you've seen the notation you are asking about.

12848 questions
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What does "less the" mean?

What is the symbolic meaning of current high less the current low? Is it the min, difference, or something else?
AJcodez
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What is the mathematical notation for representing a maximum number output?

For example, something like the following: LowerOfTheTwo(a × b,1000) = c So, if a = 100 and b = 2, then c = 200. But, if a = 100 and b = 200, then c = 1000.
Nathan J.B.
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Can one use the following notation in integrals?

I read from theoretical physics lecture notes the following: http://theory.physics.helsinki.fi/~fymmi/Luennot4_1-9.pdf $$\Gamma(p)\Gamma(q)=4\int_0^\infty dr r^{2p+2q+1}e^{-r^2}\int_0^{\pi/2}d\varphi \cos^{2p-1}\varphi\sin^{2q-1}\varphi$$ Is it…
notsure
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Question about alternate subset notation

I am reading a new text, and I have come across the notation '$\Subset$' as well as '$\subset$'. Am I correct in assuming that '$\Subset$' is an alternative method of specifying an improper subset like the usual '$\subseteq$'?
user137769
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How to avoid fractions when writing expressions?

When I'm writing expressions in an articles the fractions when not segregated in a single equation usually are a problem. One example is $\frac{x}{\log y}$ that can be written as $x\log y^{-1}$. Another situation is when you have a long expression…
user206695
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Specific treatment for the first and last element of sequence in a function?

Let $A = \langle a_1,\dots,a_n \rangle$ be a sequence. I have a function that given any element $a_k$ it will return the values of $a_{k-1}+a_k+a_{k+1}$ with the exception of the first and last element that is going to return $a_k + a_{k+1}$ for the…
user206695
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Notation of inf

In this paper (equation 4.1) the following formula is listed: $\inf_{u \in R} \left \{ \frac{\partial V}{\partial \boldsymbol{x}}f(\boldsymbol{x},u) \right \} < 0, \quad \forall \boldsymbol{x} \neq \boldsymbol{0} $ Now I don't understand what the…
Pietair
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Question on notation: Using Conditional Sums to express the total distance traveled by a moving body with position $x=x(t)$

This is a question on notation Can I express the total distance $s=s(t_1,t_2)$ that a moving body has traveled using the following (conditional) sum? $$s(t_1,t_2) = \sum_{\forall [t_a,t_b] \subseteq [t_1, t_2]: x'(t) \neq 0} \big |x(t_a) - x(t_b)…
bolzano
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Proper notation question?

Are these two ways to define a set both correct? $$\{Z_t|Z_t \in A_5 \& Z_t=Z_i \cap Z_k, Z_i \in A_2, Z_k\in A_3\}$$ and the same written in this way: $$\{Z_t|Z_t \in A_5 \& (\exists Z_i \in A_2)(\exists Z_k \in A_3)(Z_t=Z_i \cap Z_k)\}$$
chen h.
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Why do the notation of the set of positive integers and the set of positive reals are different?

I read from my lecture notes that $\mathbb{R}_+^*=\{x|x>0\}$ and in http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PositiveInteger.html that $\mathbb Z^+$ is the positive integers. Why do we have to put plus to upper corner when we deal with positive reals and to…
student
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Notation: May or may not be?

Searched it on Google and couldn't find it. Consider the following literal statement: If there exists a supremum M for A, where A is a set contained within the one dimensional continuum R, then M may or may not be a member of A. I wish to write it…
Laplace
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Is there such an expression?

I saw some notation on my friends notebook. What does that L shaped two lines mean? Goes below a1, a2 and a1-a2. I couldn't find anything related online. May this be about complex numbers? Can someone please explain? This is an electric circuit…
Bora
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Select some particular elements to a set

What I am asking is not a math "problem" but something about presenting the problem in math language. Assume $0
Kimi
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Compare all elements of a set with all elements of the set

I have a set $ X = \{a,b,c,d\} $ where all elements of the set are tuples $ (x,y), x \in \mathbb{N}, y \in \mathbb{N} $. In this case the elements of the tuple would represent a timeslot where start time x and an end time y. I know want to have a…
nino
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Is there a mathematical for "for every fixed element"

I've noticed that "for every fixed element" has come up enough for me to ask is there a mathematical sign for this? If not, why not? I can think of plenty of times when it comes up and such a notation would make reports look smoother.
user120246
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