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Two ! symbols together represent the ''double factorial'', multiplying just the odd or even numbers. So juxtaposition doesn't represent composition here: \(x!! \neq (x!)!\)
Two ! symbols together represent the ''double factorial'', multiplying just the odd or even numbers. So juxtaposition doesn't represent composition here: \(x!! \neq (x!)!\)
A ! symbol on the left represents the number of derangements, or ''subfactorial''. The order of precedence is not clear:
Does \(!n!\ = (!n)!\)  or \(!(n!)\)?
Does \(a!b = (a!)b \) or \(a(!b)\)?


Does it make it clearer that a factorial is a present if you add another punctuation symbol after the ! symbol?
Does it make it clearer that a factorial is a present if you add another punctuation symbol after the ! symbol?

Revision as of 15:11, 29 July 2021


The ! symbol is used to represent the factorial operation.

When a factorial appears inside a sentence, it's possible to misinterpret the ! as an exclamation mark[1]:

"How many ways of ordering six objects are there?"

"There are 6!"

Two ! symbols together represent the double factorial, multiplying just the odd or even numbers. So juxtaposition doesn't represent composition here: \(x!! \neq (x!)!\)

A ! symbol on the left represents the number of derangements, or subfactorial. The order of precedence is not clear:

Does \(!n!\ = (!n)!\) or \(!(n!)\)?

Does \(a!b = (a!)b \) or \(a(!b)\)?

Does it make it clearer that a factorial is a present if you add another punctuation symbol after the ! symbol?

"There are 6!."

However, if you want to express surprise with an exclamation mark, it could look like a double factorial:

"There are 6!!"

Maybe ! should only be used for "factorial" in contexts that are unambiguously and clearly delimited mathematical notation, and the word "factorial" should be used in prose:

"There are 6 factorial."