Long variable names: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Ambiguities]] | |||
[[Category:Unpleasantness]] | |||
[[Category:Variable Names]] | |||
Mathematicians normally stick to single-letter variable names. But when they don't, it can be hard to tell if there's a [[missing multiplication symbol]] or not. | Mathematicians normally stick to single-letter variable names. But when they don't, it can be hard to tell if there's a [[missing multiplication symbol]] or not. | ||
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\[ x \text{speed} \] | \[ x \text{speed} \] | ||
==Why?== | |||
<ref>[https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/24241/why-do-mathematicians-use-single-letter-variables Why do mathematicians use single-letter variables?] on math.stackexchange.com</ref> | |||
Latest revision as of 16:07, 12 July 2021
Mathematicians normally stick to single-letter variable names. But when they don't, it can be hard to tell if there's a missing multiplication symbol or not.
Some people use an upright font for long variable names to distinguish them from single-letter variable names, drawn in italics (see Use of different typefaces to convey meaning)
Examples
\[ speed = distance \div time \]
\[ \text{speed} = \text{distance} \div \text{time} \]
Is it OK to mix single-letter variable names and longer ones?
\[ x \text{speed} \]
Why?
- ↑ Why do mathematicians use single-letter variables? on math.stackexchange.com
