Questions tagged [notation]
For questions about mathematical notation, i.e. the symbols used to represent mathematical objects and operations.
279
questions
5
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1
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Question about denoting/designating of algebraic structures
I saw this image on Wikipedia (Template:Group-like structures, current revision):
Since there are five "properties" that we can have (in this context), namely: totality, associativity, identity, ...
user114642
1
vote
1
answer
203
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Notation for the restriction map in Galois cohomology
My coauthors and I are writing a paper based on MO questions and answers:
Friedrich Knop's answer,
my answer 1
and
my answer 2.
For a linear algebraic group $G$ over a perfect field $k$, I consider a ...
- 13.6k
14
votes
0
answers
849
views
Grothendieck construction and coends
In category theory, both the Grothendieck construction and coends are represented by a sort of "integral sign", respectively:
$$
\int F
$$
for a functor $F:C\to\mathbf{Cat}$,
and:
$$
\int^x G(x,x)
$$
...
- 2,129
27
votes
5
answers
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The letter $\wp$; Name & origin?
Do you think the letter $\wp$ has a name? It may depend on community - the language, region, speciality, etc, so if you don't mind, please be specific about yours. (Mainly I'd like to know the English ...
- 519
2
votes
2
answers
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Technical term for representing object of a presheaf determined by a left-adjoint?
If $\mathcal{D}$ is a locally-small category, then a functor $F\colon\mathcal{C}\rightarrow\mathcal{D}$ has a right-adjoint if and only if for each object $d$ of $D$, the presheaf $$\mathcal{C}^{\...
- 6,001
2
votes
0
answers
237
views
What does the $\pi_1(\mathsf{C})$ really mean?
Assume that $\mathsf{C}$ is a small category (in my case with finitely many objects but this is probably irrelevant). In a paper I'm studying at the moment there is a notion used constantly, this of $\...
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2
votes
0
answers
91
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Spectral multiplier and Littlewood-Paley projection
I am trying to understand this paper, and have some basic question, and hope this is OK for the MO.
Let $f\in \mathcal{S}(\mathbb R^d)$ (Schwartz Space).
We know that $\widehat{\nabla f}(\xi)= 2 \...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
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views
Local system corresponding to induced representation
Let $p\colon Y\to X$ be a finite covering map of path-connected "good" spaces (e.g. manifolds), and let $L$ be a local system on $Y$, and let $V$ be the corresponding representation of $\pi_1(Y)$. ...
- 3,029
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votes
1
answer
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Generalizing Big O notation to arbitrary vector spaces
I'm constructing a Coq library for Big-O notation. Naturally, I'd like it to be as general as possible. The Wikipedia page on Big-O notation says
The generalization to functions taking values in ...
- 153
7
votes
0
answers
213
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Notation: Why Ω for the based loop functor?
This is just a question about notation - probably useless, but it's always baffled me:
Why was $\Omega$ chosen to denote the based loop functor?
I once heard someone speculate: "It's because $\Omega$...
- 113
-1
votes
1
answer
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Typed Values in Formulas
Question:
are there any "standard" ways of indicating the meaning of numerical values in formulas, resp. general mathematical texts (theorems, proofs, etc.)?
I am especially looking for ...
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2
votes
0
answers
299
views
Is there standard notation for restriction partial functions?
Given a partial function $f : A \rightarrow B$, and a subset $S \subseteq A$, we get a new partial function $$f \restriction_S : A \rightarrow B$$ by restriction. However, I prefer to analyse $f \...
- 3,693
15
votes
3
answers
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History of the pullback corner notation
Where/when did the convention originate of marking pullback (and/or pushout) squares by that little right-angle symbol in the corner?
The earliest instance I’ve been able to find is in Paul Taylor’s ...
- 19.2k
2
votes
1
answer
213
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Notation for the automorphisms of a $S$-scheme over automorphisms of $S$
Here is a slightly anecdotical notational question.
Let $S$ be a scheme and let $X$ be a scheme over $S$, with structural morphism $s\colon X\to S$. Is there a good suggestive notation for the group $...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Chudnovsky algorithm and Pi precision
What are the precision/ number of correct Pi digits after N iterations of Chudnovsky algorithm. Looking for a formula (rather than a table) and reference.
- 39
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0
answers
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Notations - Hardy and Sobolev Spaces [duplicate]
After some confusion on my part, I wanted to know is there a profound mathematical reason why both Hardy spaces and Sobolev spaces are denoted by $H^p$(1). Is it just coincidence? Does it have any ...
- 3,554
11
votes
3
answers
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views
Notations for dual spaces and dual operators
I'm asking for opinions about the 'best' notations for:
1. the algebraic dual of a vector space $X$;
2. the continuous dual of a TVS;
3. the algebraic dual (transpose) of an operator $T$ between ...
1
vote
0
answers
215
views
Does the LaTeX $\eqslantless$ symbol, or the comparable Unicode ⋜, have a well defined meaning for binary numerical relationships? [closed]
At first this appeared a simple question; Unicode defines the symbol as "equal to or less-than", which would appear to be the same as "less-than or equal to". But on investigating a bit, I found very ...
- 31
5
votes
0
answers
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Notation for calculus with measures?
One of the strengths of ordinary multivariable calculus is that you can use notation where functions are expressed pointwise (e.g. $\int_a^b x^2 \, \mathrm{d}x$ rather than merely $\int_a^b f$), and ...
user13113
1
vote
1
answer
177
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Using Ordinal Notations in Computability Theory Is There A Standard Notation For The Notations Below $\alpha$
I find I frequently have to refer to the set of ordinal notations below some given notation. For instance given a notation $\alpha$ I often need to refer to the set $\lbrace \beta \mid \beta <^{\...
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votes
2
answers
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What is the standard notation for reversing the order of vector's components? [closed]
If we have a vector $x=(x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n)$, is there any standard way to denote the vector $(x_n,x_{n-1},\ldots,x_1)$?.
I think that $x^{-1}$ could be a good option.
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1
answer
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Stochastic Process Notation
Note: I'm not an expert on stochastic processes. Please use small words and speak real slow.
I'm reading a paper [1], which uses a notation for stochastic processes that doesn't seem to be standard.
...
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2
votes
1
answer
272
views
Notation and reference for polynomials with coefficients not commuting with the indeterminates
Let $R$ be a noncommutative ring (with unit). Then a "fully noncommutative" (for a lack of better wording) monomial over $R$ in the single noncommutative indeterminate $X$ of degree $d$ is given by a ...
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votes
3
answers
2k
views
Where does the name "R-matrix" come from?
In quantum integrability and related topics a lot of not-so imaginative terminology is used. One may hear people talk about "Q-operators", "R-matrices", "S-matrices", "T-operators", as well as "L-...
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votes
5
answers
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views
When did the abuse of notation $y=y(x)$ start?
It's quite common nowadays to name a function and the application of the function to its input with the same letter. (Possibly more so in applied areas. Certainly many calculus textbooks do this.)
...
- 5,283
7
votes
2
answers
969
views
Two different kinds of definitions of $C^k(\overline{\Omega})$ — extension and restriction
This is cross-posted in MSE.
I have seen two different kinds of definitions of the notation $C^k(\overline{\Omega})$ — by "extension" of functions on $\Omega$ or by "restriction" of functions on $\...
user14319
4
votes
0
answers
272
views
Pairing in Group Cohomology [closed]
I am following Ararat Babakhanian's Cohomological Methods in Group theory.
Let $A,B,C$ be $G$ modules then we have a $G$ module structre on $\text{Hom}_{\mathbb{Z}}(B,C)$ with $$\sigma.f(x)=\sigma(f\...
user37663
1
vote
0
answers
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views
Notation for largest universal subclass and class of arrows "locally in" a given class of arrows
Let $\mathcal M$ be a class of arrows in a category $\mathsf C$. I would like suggestions for good notation for the following two classes.
The smallest universal (pullback stable) subclass $\mathcal ...
- 10.3k
0
votes
1
answer
170
views
Theory of integration of Kernel in çinlar probability and stochastic
I'm reading the probabilistic book write by çinlar, but I don't understand the Kernel theory, in details:
$ (E,\mathcal{E}),(F,\mathcal{F})$ are two measurable space
$$K:E \times \mathcal{F} \...
user96954
5
votes
1
answer
396
views
What countable ordinals are called $\kappa_\alpha$?
Jervell has a notation for countable ordinals up to the small Veblen ordinal using trees:
• Herman Ruge Jervell, How to wellorder finite trees
and get good ordinal notations, Berkeley Logic ...
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4
votes
0
answers
110
views
Is there a name for groups of the form $Sp(1)^n$?
A (compact) torus is a Lie group isomorphic to the product of finitely many circles: $T^n = S^1 \times \cdots \times S^1$. Such groups are extremely important in Lie theory, Differential Geometry, ...
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votes
3
answers
5k
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History of the notation for substitution
One of the very common notations for syntactic substitution is $[\ /\ ]$.
However, there seems to be an inconsistency in the literature about its usage.
Many write $[t/x]$ for "substitute $t$ for $x$...
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1
vote
0
answers
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views
Name for the Quotient $SU(m+1)/(SU(k) \times SU(m-k))$
The sphere $S^{2m-1} \simeq SU(m+1)/SU(m)$ has a canonical $U(1)$-action, and quotienting by this action give complex projective space $CP^m$. We can generalise the family of sphere to the family of ...
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votes
0
answers
627
views
Notation for iterated summation
Is there a more compact way to write
$$
\sum_{i_1=0}^{N}
\sum_{i_2=0}^{N-i_1}
\sum_{i_3=0}^{N-i_1-i_2}
\cdots
\sum_{i_{K}=0}^{N-i_1-i_2-i_3-\ldots-i_{K-1}}
a_{i_1i_2i_3\ldots i_K}
$$
as something like
...
- 113
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Use of ternary operator in formal writing
I would like to write
$$
f(x) = \begin{cases}1&\mbox{if }x = 1\\ 0&\mbox{otherwise.}\end{cases}
$$
However, this eats up a lot of vertical space for a very simple statement. Is there agreed ...
- 389
0
votes
1
answer
148
views
Comparing vectors with numbers? [closed]
My question pertains to the paper "A Simplified Proof of the Divergence Theorem" by Djairo Guedes de Figueiredo.
It's not a big question, actually, but it's confusing me a lot: In the statement of ...
- 183
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
Notation to denote substitution of vector elements [duplicate]
I'm looking for notation to denote vector substitution and elimination of elements. This is possible using set notation, but I am looking for shorthand notation that is perhaps already in use.
...
- 111
1
vote
0
answers
151
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Notation clash between a representation and spectral radius
I am currently writing a paper where I need talk both about a representation of a semisimple Lie group (usually denoted by $\rho$), and about spectral radii of linear maps (also usually denoted by $\...
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2
votes
0
answers
117
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What does the square root sign tells us in the wave equation? [closed]
I have been reading the paper on wave equations, and I have some confusion in notations.
Consider the initial value problem(IVP)(Wave equation):
$\frac{\partial ^2 u } {\partial t^2}(x,t) = \...
- 1,051
-2
votes
1
answer
459
views
Correction symbols used for mathematical texts [closed]
When proof reading and correcting a mathematical text, I sometimes see people use special notation symbols in the margin to indicate correction, deletion, replacement and so on. Is there any standard ...
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votes
1
answer
458
views
What does the notation $[b_1,b_2]$ in M. Hochster's "Prime Ideal Structure in Commutative Rings" mean?
I'm reading the article
M. Hochster, Prime ideal structure in commutative rings, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 142 (1969), 43--60. Freely available here on the journal's website.
But, I can not find the ...
user89541
3
votes
1
answer
168
views
What is the function space $H^1_{m, \sigma}$?
I am reading Hildebrandt's and Widman's 1975 paper on "Some regularity results of quasilinear elliptic systems of second order".
Theorem 3.1 is the first time in their paper that the function space $...
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4
votes
0
answers
4k
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Pronunciation of ¡ (inverted exclamation mark, historically used for subfactorial)
For anyone who uses ¡ (inverted exclamation mark) in a mathematical context, how do you pronounce it?
Background: I have privately been using ¡ in a couple of notations for a while, and am ...
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9
votes
1
answer
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views
notation for $(a-b)(a-qb)\dots (a-q^{n-1}b)$
I wonder whether there is a notation for such thing, which I denote $[a;b]_q^n$ for a moment:
$$
[a;b]_q^n:=(a-b)(a-qb)\dots (a-q^{n-1}b)=a^n(b/a;q)_n,
$$
this last equation uses $q$-Pochhammer symbol ...
- 103k
2
votes
0
answers
637
views
Mixed tensor index position significance
What is the significance of tensor index position?
For example the fourth order Riemann curvature tensor
\begin{align}
R^m_{ijk}
\end{align}
or
\begin{align}
R^{\phantom{i}m}_{i\phantom{m}jk}.
\end{...
- 219
1
vote
0
answers
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views
notation for vector product in the space
The notation for vector (a.k.a. cross) product in $\mathbb{R}^3$ I usually see is $\times$.
However, some places use $\wedge$ instead, which IMHO creates a lot of confusion, as $\wedge$ usually is ...
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26
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What is the term for combining functions $f_1,f_2,\dots,f_n$ into a tuple $(f_1,\dots,f_n)$?
This is an embarrassingly simple question, but I was not able to find a definitive answer from literature search.
Suppose one has some collection of functions $f_1: X \to Y_1, \dots, f_n: X \to Y_n$ ...
- 109k
2
votes
1
answer
237
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Notation: $Sigma$ and $Pi$ of intersections
In Jech - Set Theory, the proof of Theorem 31.7, I came along some notations I wish to understand correctly.
For a countable elementary substructure $M \prec H_\lambda$ and $A \in M$ and a generic ...
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-2
votes
1
answer
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Looking for the name of a mathematical symbol that looks remotely like 1 (answer: indicator function) [closed]
Original question:
The symbol looks like a numeral 1 written like an R in $\mathbb{R}$. It has a double vertical line and a serif at the bottom. It represents a function of a parameter: $1_{\{0,1\}}(x)...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
320
views
Meaning of $[A,B]$ when $A$, $B$ are self-adjoint
This is just a question about notation, but it got no useful answers on math.stackexchange.
Let $L$ be the Lie algebra of $n\times n$ Hermitian matrices, with Lie bracket $(A,B)\mapsto i(AB-BA)$.
...
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