What do symbols in equations mean?

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In summary, the greek letter E means permittivity of free space, which is a measure of how much an electric field will deflect in a given medium.
  • #1
SimpleHarmonicMotion
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I got some questions on symbols I've seen in formulas and equations.
What does the greek letter E mean? I see it with letters underneth it sometimes, what do they do?

There's a symbol that's a foward slash, it has letters on each end sometimes and it's most of the time in front of the = sign
 
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  • #3
If you can provide some examples of the equations -- with a link, perhaps -- we can try to explain to you what they mean.

The meaning of a particular mathematical notation depends heavily upon its context. The greek letter gamma, for example, might mean any of a couple of dozen different things, depending upon whether you're studying relativity, or communications theory, or something else.

Without knowing the context of where you saw these equations, we really can't help you understand them.

- Warren
 
  • #4
Maybe the OP means the capital greek letter sigma, since it's commonly mistaken for the greek E.

[tex]\sum[/tex]

In mathematics, this symbol means summation. It is often seen with something like k=1 underneath and a single number or variable above, followed by an algebraic expression. In physics, it's also used as the "sum of" symbol, such as the sum of the forces in the x direction can be written as [tex]\Sigma F_x[/tex]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summation
 

What are symbol questions?

Symbol questions are a type of question in which the answer is represented by a symbol or image, rather than words or numbers.

Why are symbol questions used in scientific research?

Symbol questions are often used in scientific research because they allow for a more objective and standardized way of collecting data. They also eliminate potential language barriers or confusion caused by different interpretations of words.

What are some common symbols used in scientific research?

Some common symbols used in scientific research include arrows, circles, squares, triangles, and pictograms. These symbols may represent concepts, variables, or data points.

How are symbol questions beneficial in data analysis?

Symbol questions can be easily coded and analyzed using statistical software, making it easier to identify patterns and trends in large datasets. They also reduce the chances of human error in data entry.

What are some considerations when using symbol questions in research?

When using symbol questions, it is important to ensure that the symbols used are easily recognizable and unambiguous. Researchers should also be cautious of potential biases or cultural differences that may affect the interpretation of symbols.

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