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For mathematical writing, the first thing I was taught was don't begin a sentence with a formula. That rule generally applies that to other parts of sentence s
by SamReidHughes 7y ago
For mathematical writing, the first thing I was taught was don't begin a sentence with a formula. That rule generally applies that to other parts of sentence structure. I'd rewrite your second example to something like, "Noting that x < 5, we have Pr[f(y) + x >= 3] <= 0.1."
- n4r9 7y agoYou have the powerful blessings of both Knuth and Halmos [0]. On p. 3 of the PDF: > 1. Symbols in different formulas must be separated by words. > 2. Don't start a sentence with a symbol. [0] http://jmlr.csail.mit.edu/reviewing-papers/knuth_mathematical_writing.pdf http://jmlr.csail.mit.edu/reviewing-papers/knuth_mathematica...
- gradschool 7y agoI drew a stronger conclusion from this point on page 5. 13. Many readers will skim over formulas on their first reading of your exposition. Therefore, your sentences should flow smoothly when all but the simplest formulas are replaced by “blah” or some other grunting noise. My writing has benefited greatly by treating all mathematical expressions within sentences as nouns regardless of their relational operators. My version of the sentence would be "Noting that x < 5 holds, we infer a probability of no more than 0.1 for f(y) + x taking values of 3 or more.".
- scott_s 7y agoI prefer your sentence to the more mathy one. But space constraints are real, and I could end up choosing the more mathy one because it's shorter.