Notations

This section provides a brief overview of notational conventions that will be used in this book. Please note that this section does not provide a detailed explanation of what each symbol represents. You can use the search tool at the top of the section to find detailed explanations and relevant concepts.

Mathematical Symbols

This table serves as a reference for the mathematical symbols that will be used throughout this text. Precise definitions are not provided here but will be introduced as the material progresses. Even if you are already familiar with these notations, it is still highly recommended reviewing this subsection, as different texts may employ different conventions and symbol choices.

Please note that some mathematical symbols closely resemble Greek letters commonly used as variable names. One notable example would be $\sum$ and $\Sigma$; the former represents the summation operator, while the latter may be used as a variable name (e.g., for a set or a matrix). You should be able to distinguish these symbols by context.

Greek Alphabet

In the world of mathematics, science, and engineering, a wide range of variables and constants are notated by the Greek alphabet. You are encouraged to consult this table and become familiar with the shapes and names of these letters, as they will appear throughout the text. In most cases, a Greek letter is chosen when the name of the variable can be phonetically associated with that letter.

Please note that some Greek letters have multiple forms under the same name, particularly in text typeset with $\text{LATEX}$. One common example would be $\varphi$ and $\phi$; although both are often referred to as ‘phi’ in everyday use, they have very distinct shapes. Unless specified, this textbook will treat such variants as separate symbols. Consistent use of each form will be maintained in order to avoid any unnecessary confusion.