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283 points IdealeZahlen | 3 comments | 14 Nov 24 16:28 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source

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non- ◴[14 Nov 24 18:26 UTC] No.42139412[source]▶

One thing I've always struggled with Math is keeping track of symbols I don't know the name of yet.

Googling for "Math squiggle that looks like a cursive P" is not a very elegant or convenient way of learning new symbol names.

I wish every proof or equation came with a little table that gave the English pronunciation and some context for each symbol used.

It would make it a lot easier to look up tutorials & ask questions.

1. bregma ◴[14 Nov 24 20:17 UTC] No.42140722[source]▶

I heard as many names for the "\partial" symbol as I had math professors in university. At least they all wrote them the same.

replies(1): >>42141095 #

2. JohnKemeny ◴[14 Nov 24 20:53 UTC] No.42141095[source]▶

"del" is the only way

replies(1): >>42143296 #

3. gjm11 ◴[15 Nov 24 02:00 UTC] No.42143296[source]▶

Except that "del" is also (and I think more commonly) the name for the upside-down Delta used in vector calculus for div, grad and curl.

(I usually say "partial dx by dt" or whatever, which seems OK to me.)

The letter ℘: name and origin? (2017)