Various aspects of writing mathematics such as style, notation, grammar, frequently used phrases and common mistakes.
Questions tagged [article-writing]
453 questions
19
votes
12 answers
What are better words to use in an article than "obvious"?
I've heard often than it is ill-form to use the word "obvious" in a research paper. I was hoping to gather a list of less offensive words that mean generally the same thing.
For example, one that I can think of is the word "direct".
So instead of…
Taylor
- 397
11
votes
2 answers
"Theorems 1 and 2 imply" vs. "Theorem 1 and Theorem 2 imply"
To convey that
$$\text{Theorem 1} \wedge \text{Theorem 2} \implies A$$
which style is better?
Theorems 1 and 2 imply $A$.
Theorem 1 and Theorem 2 imply $A$.
Which style manuals prefer which form?
(This question concerns the repetition of the…
Max
- 1,257
11
votes
4 answers
Should I cite the original source or a book?
In the introduction to my thesis, I cite a lot of classical results from the 19th and early 20th century. Should I try and cite the original source for these results, or does that look like I am trying to bloat my list of references to look smart…
Bananach
- 7,934
9
votes
2 answers
The best way to use notation in the proof
I have two simple questions regarding the writing styles.
Assume that I make a remark~$1.1$ and I define two sets say $A:=\text{something}$ and $B:=\text{something}$. My question is that I will use the sets $A$ and $B$ in many proofs in the paper.…
00GB
- 2,401
8
votes
0 answers
Use of "I" in mathematics papers
Some people consider the use of "I" in a paper to be a great evil. Others, however, consider the use of the passive voice to be an even greater evil.
I will be presenting a paper at a competition, and I don't know what the judges prefer. If I…
user1577636
- 181
8
votes
1 answer
English possessive in Mathematics
As a non-native English speaker, I wonder what is the correct way to use the English possessive, also known as Saxon genitive, when dealing with mathematical objects.
It seems to me that there is not an agreement about that, some examples:
Taylor…
user126526
7
votes
0 answers
Should names of "named theorems" be capitalized?
Should names of "named theorems" such as the following be capitalized (a) when being mentioned? (b) when being enunciated (of course the first letter would normally be capitalized in the latter case)?
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
Urysohn's…
murray
- 778
- 3
- 16
6
votes
3 answers
Is there a list of typical variable letters to use in a given context?
I try to write math notes as clearly as possible. In practice, this means using letters and notation similar to what the reader is already familiar with.
A real function is often $f(x)$, an angle is often $\theta$, a matrix has size $m\times n$, and…
Tyler
- 763
6
votes
5 answers
Why does nobody use the deduction symbols $A \Rightarrow B \Rightarrow C \Rightarrow D$ in their thesis/dissertation?
I am studying for a Master's degree of mathematics.
There are some deduction in my thesis is written
as the following form.
$A $
$\Rightarrow B $
$ \Rightarrow C $
$ \Rightarrow D $
But my adviser does not allow me write my thesis in such a…
bfhaha
- 3,721
5
votes
2 answers
Using Comma in if...then Conditional Sentences
Many English grammar books state that in an "if ... then" conditional sentence, the word then should be preceded by a comma. However, in mathematical writing I often see that this rule is ignored.
Here is a sentence taken from Higham's Handbook of…
EPS
- 2,008
4
votes
1 answer
Writing small numbers in Articles
In primary school I learned that numbers less than 13 should be spelled out in writing.
I am suddenly not sure anymore, how I should handle this situation when it comes to article writing in mathematics.
What is better in the context of a…
andy
- 127
4
votes
1 answer
LaTeX help - multiple answers using set bracket / cases
I'm brand new to LaTeX and am writing up a dissertation. I have read through several LaTeX guides but have not been able to find the answer there. Does anybody know how to use this { to show several possible answers? For example when defining the…
Dexter
- 147
4
votes
1 answer
Notation and Style: Two Subscripts
Suppose $v_0$ denotes initial value of, say, velocity, and $v_y$ denotes the $y$ component of the velocity. Is there common way of writing the $y$ component of $v_0$.
$v_{0y}$ does not look meaningful, as it is not immediately clear that $y$ is not…
blackened
- 1,115
4
votes
4 answers
Punctuation in mathematical writing.
I am trying to collaborate with a fellow student on a piece of work. Unfortunately we have now reached a creative impasse.
I am under the impression that to include punctuation marks in equations appearing in a body of text is unnecessary, and that…
Aerinmund Fagelson
- 2,644
4
votes
2 answers
Let $f\colon A\to B$ be a function
The following sentence is often used in mathematical articles and writings:
Let $f\colon A\to B$ be a function.
I wonder, why this senctence is used often, since it is redundant. It is like I would say
Let $x < 0$ be a real number.
In both…
