Why write $\mathrm dx, \mathrm dt$ etc. at the beginning of an integral?

Asked Jul 27 '13 at 02:30

Active Jul 27 '13 at 05:10

Viewed 98 times

I've noticed that many people here (on Math.SE) as well as elsewhere write integrals out like this:

$$\int^a_b \mathrm dt \; f(t)$$

instead of the more common (at least from what I've seen): $$\int^a_b f(t) \; \mathrm dt$$

Some quantum mechanics books I've seen also do the same (put the $\mathrm dt$ in front.)

Are there any practical reasons for this?

edited Jul 27 '13 at 05:10

jimjim

asked Jul 27 '13 at 02:30

Soham Chowdhury

I always thought it was to look nicer, especially when you have a lot of variables. – George V. Williams Jul 27 '13 at 02:31
1

It is a new fashion, imported, as you point out, from Physics. There is a mild argument in favour for iterated integrals. – André Nicolas Jul 27 '13 at 02:38

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