Math Notation: P Approaching Zero from the Negative Side

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the mathematical notation for expressing the concept of a variable P approaching zero from the negative side. It involves exploring different notational conventions and their clarity in conveying the intended meaning.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the notation P --> -0, questioning its correctness.
  • Another participant indicates that the standard notation is \lim_{x \rightarrow 0^-}.
  • A different viewpoint proposes using P \rightarrow 0^{-}, emphasizing the placement of the minus sign.
  • One participant elaborates that P \to 0^- is appropriate, explaining that the minus indicates approaching from the left, and discusses the ambiguity in distinguishing between negative and positive approaches without this notation.
  • Additionally, an alternative notation P \uparrow 0 is mentioned, though it is noted that this is less commonly used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple notational approaches, and while there is some consensus on the use of the minus sign, there is no definitive agreement on a single preferred notation.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not address potential limitations or assumptions regarding the notations discussed, nor do they clarify the context in which each notation might be preferred.

zeta101
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Hi,

How would you write mathematically "As P approaches zero from the negative side". Is it something like P --> -0 ?

Thanks!
 
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the usual notation is
[tex]\lim_{x \rightarrow 0^-}.[/tex]
 
You'd want the 'minus' where an exponent would be, usually something like [tex]P\rightarrow 0^{-}[/tex]
 
[itex]P \to 0^-[/itex]. The "-" is on the right side of the number, which makes sense because this way you can use it for negative or positive numbers, otherwise, how could you tell if you meant that P was approaching -5, or approaching positive 5 from the left? So "-" means approaching from the left, and in the case of positive numbers, the left isn't "the negative side" (although it is closer to the negative numbers). Also, this could be written as: [itex]P \uparrow 0[/itex] but you don't see that most of the time.
 
Thank you all for the answers!
 

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