4 ms·
> Instead of writing Xi, they should really write X[i]; because Xi is ambiguous. How so, and in which cases would it be ambiguous to write X_i, but not X[i]?
by mmarx 11y ago
> Instead of writing Xi, they should really write X[i]; because Xi is ambiguous.
How so, and in which cases would it be ambiguous to write X_i, but not X[i]?
- hasenj 11y agoX_i is a valid variable name. Although it seems in math you can only use single-letter variable names, which is kinda ridiculous (coming from a computer science background).
- Maken 11y agoUsing "ab" would lead to ambiguity, since it could mean "a*b". Also, there is no reason for using two letter variables when you can use any letter from the latin or greek alphabet, with any notation like ä or â or even create your new symbols like ∫, ℝ or ℕ when nothing matches the concept you want to express. Unlike programming languages, math notation evolved without being constrained by monospace ASCII characters and text lines.
- Retric 11y agoDraw a circle/oval/rectangle/cloud/whatever around your names and suddenly there is zero ambiguity. The only constraint was EGO. PS: For typesetting Just capitalize the first letter. Radious ^ 2 * Pi = Area is common and unambiguous.
- Retra 11y agoYou can use multiple letter variable names. Nobody is stopping you from doing that.