The order of terms matters even when they commute: Difference between revisions
From Why start at x, y, z
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* \(xy\) and \(yx\) in either order; | * \(xy\) and \(yx\) in either order; | ||
* \(5t\) but not \(t5\) (to avoid confusion with \(t_5\) or \(t^5\)); | * \(5t\) but not \(t5\) (to avoid confusion with \(t_5\) or \(t^5\)); | ||
* \(x\sqrt{2}\) but not \(\sqrt{2}x\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sqrt{2x}\)). | * \(x\sqrt{2}\) but not \(\sqrt{2}x\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sqrt{2x}\)). (See [[Something on the right of a radical]]) | ||
* \(\sqrt{2}\sin x\) but not \(\sin x \sqrt{2}\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sin \left(x\sqrt{2}\right)\)). | * \(\sqrt{2}\sin x\) but not \(\sin x \sqrt{2}\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sin \left(x\sqrt{2}\right)\)). | ||
Revision as of 09:34, 15 July 2021
When writing a term that consists of several factors, the conventions regarding their order appear arbitrary. It is usual to write:
- \(xy\) and \(yx\) in either order;
- \(5t\) but not \(t5\) (to avoid confusion with \(t_5\) or \(t^5\));
- \(x\sqrt{2}\) but not \(\sqrt{2}x\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sqrt{2x}\)). (See Something on the right of a radical)
- \(\sqrt{2}\sin x\) but not \(\sin x \sqrt{2}\) (to avoid confusion with \(\sin \left(x\sqrt{2}\right)\)).
