table 12.4. Potentially ambiguous mathematical symbols

Symbols set in typea

Marginal notation to operatorb

Remarks and suggestions for manuscript preparation

aɑ

lc “aye”lc Gr. alpha

∝ proportional to Leave medium space before and after ∝ and all binary operation signs (=, ≤, ∈, ∩, ⊂, etc.).∞ infi nity

B cap “bee”β lc Gr. beta

χ lc Gr. chiX cap “ex”x lc “ex”× “times” or “mult” Leave medium space before and after × and all

other operation signs (+, –, ÷, etc.). Do not add space when such signs as –, +, or ± are used to modify symbols or expressions (–3, ±1, etc.). Do not add space when operations appear as subscripts or superscripts.

δ lc Gr. delta∂ partial diff erential Simpler to use printer’s term “round dee.”d lc “dee”

ε lc Gr. epsilon∈ “element of”

η lc Gr. etan lc “en”

γ lc Gr. gammaτ lc Gr. taur lc “ar”t lc “tee”

ιi

lc Gr. iotalc “eye”

Avoid using ι and i together because of similarity in print.

κ lc Gr. kappak lc “kay”Κ cap Gr. kappaK cap “kay”

lℓ1

lc “el”script “el”numeral 1

In some fonts, l and 1 look identical; note “el” but leave numeral unmarked; ℓ should not be used if l is available.

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table 12.4 (continued)

Symbols set in typea

Marginal notation to operatorb

Remarks and suggestions for manuscript preparation

νv

lc Gr. nulc “vee”

Avoid using ν and v together because of similarity in print.

Oo

cap “oh”lc “oh”

Asymptotic upper bounds O(x) and o(x) may occur together.

0 zeroΟ cap Gr. omicronο lc Gr. omicron° degree sign

Λ cap Gr. lambda∧ wedge

ϕ, φ lc Gr. phi∅ empty or null set

∏ productΠ cap Gr. piπ lc Gr. pi

ρ lc Gr. rhop lc “pee”

∑ summationΣ cap Gr. sigma

θ, ϑΘ

lc Gr. thetacap Gr. theta

Preference for form ϑ should be specifi ed by author; θ more commonly used.

U cap “you”∪, ∪ union symbol

υ lc Gr. upsilonμ lc Gr. muν lc Gr. nuu lc “you”

ω lc Gr. omegaϖ round lc Gr. piw lc “double-u”

Z cap “zee”z lc “zee”2 numeral 2

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table 12.4 (continued)

Symbols set in typea

Marginal notation to operatorb

Remarks and suggestions for manuscript preparation

ʹ¹

primesuperscript 1

Use apostrophe for prime if no prime available.In handwritten formulas, take care to distinguish

prime from superscript 1 and comma from subscript 1.

, comma₁ subscript 1

— em dash Use two hyphens for em dash; no space on either side (except in LaTeX, where a double hyphen produces an en dash).

−–

minus signen dash

To indicate subtraction, leave medium space on each side of sign; omit space after sign if nega-tive quantity is represented.

· multiplication dot Use centered period for multiplication dot, allow-ing medium space on each side; do not show space around a center dot in a chemical formula (CO₃·H₂).

note: Symbols and letters that are commonly mistaken for each other are arranged in groups.a Letters in mathematical expressions will automatically be set in italics unless marked otherwise.b Only if symbols, letters, or numbers are badly written or rendered in the manuscript is it necessary to identify them for the typesetter.

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