Separating arguments of a function - Revision history

Christian Lawson-Perfect at 13:00, 20 November 2021

2021-11-20T13:00:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 20 November 2021
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	For example, \(f(x,y)\) is the application of a function \(f\) to two arguments, \(x\) and \(y\).		For example, \(f(x,y)\) is the application of a function \(f\) to two arguments, \(x\) and \(y\).

	When the convention for number notation is to use a comma as the decimal separator, this can lead to an ambiguity when the arguments are numbers.		When the convention for number notation is to use a comma as the decimal separator, this can lead to an ambiguity when the arguments are numbers.<ref>[https://mathstodon.xyz/@christianp/107282002688892264 Toot by Christian Lawson-Perfect], [https://twitter.com/christianp/status/1460282403495284740 Tweet by Christian Lawson-Perfect]</ref>

	For example, is \(f(1,2)\) the application of a function of one argument, or two?		For example, is \(f(1,2)\) the application of a function of one argument, or two?

Christian Lawson-Perfect at 12:54, 20 November 2021

2021-11-20T12:54:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 20 November 2021
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	Others use spacing to separate items, in addition to a comma, such as \(f(1,\, 2)\). (but [[Space is significant]]!)		Others use spacing to separate items, in addition to a comma, such as \(f(1,\, 2)\). (but [[Space is significant]]!)

			[[Category:Ambiguities]]
			[[Category:Local variations]]

Christian Lawson-Perfect: Created page with "In English, a comma normally separates components of a bracketed list, such as the arguments of a function. For example, \(f(x,y)\) is the application of a function \(f\) to..."

2021-11-20T12:54:08Z

Created page with "In English, a comma normally separates components of a bracketed list, such as the arguments of a function. For example, \(f(x,y)\) is the application of a function \(f\) to..."

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In English, a comma normally separates components of a bracketed list, such as the arguments of a function.

For example, \(f(x,y)\) is the application of a function \(f\) to two arguments, \(x\) and \(y\).

When the convention for number notation is to use a comma as the decimal separator, this can lead to an ambiguity when the arguments are numbers.

For example, is \(f(1,2)\) the application of a function of one argument, or two?

Instead, a common convention is to use a semicolon as the item separator.

For example, \(f(1;2)\) is unambiguously a function of two arguments.

Others use spacing to separate items, in addition to a comma, such as \(f(1,\, 2)\). (but [[Space is significant]]!)