Difference between revisions of "Mathematical convention"
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A '''mathematical convention''' is a fact, name, or usage which is generally agreed upon by mathematicians. For instance, the fact that one evaluates multiplication before addition in the expression <math>2 + 3\times4</math> is merely conventional: there is nothing inherently significant about the order of operations. Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other mathematicians to understand what they write without constantly having to redefine basic terms. (Imagine if every mathematical paper began with an explanation of PEMDAS!) | A '''mathematical convention''' is a fact, name, or usage which is generally agreed upon by mathematicians. For instance, the fact that one evaluates multiplication before addition in the expression <math>2 + 3\times4</math> is merely conventional: there is nothing inherently significant about the order of operations. Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other mathematicians to understand what they write without constantly having to redefine basic terms. (Imagine if every mathematical paper began with an explanation of PEMDAS!) | ||
| − | Nearly all mathematical names and symbols are conventional. The longer a name or notation has been in use, the more likely it is to become a mathematical convention. Unfortunately, some notational questions stubbornly refuse to develop conventional solutions, usually because two or more competing conventions achieve wide-spread usage. See, for example, the article on [[Natural | + | Nearly all mathematical names and symbols are conventional. The longer a name or notation has been in use, the more likely it is to become a mathematical convention. Unfortunately, some notational questions stubbornly refuse to develop conventional solutions, usually because two or more competing conventions achieve wide-spread usage. See, for example, the article on [[Natural number]]s. |
==Alternate meaning== | ==Alternate meaning== | ||
In English, a convention is also "a place where people convene, or come together." Thus, the phrase "mathematical convention" is also used to denote a convention whose purpose is mathematical. For instance, [[Mu Alpha Theta]] describes its yearly gatherings as conventions. | In English, a convention is also "a place where people convene, or come together." Thus, the phrase "mathematical convention" is also used to denote a convention whose purpose is mathematical. For instance, [[Mu Alpha Theta]] describes its yearly gatherings as conventions. | ||
Revision as of 22:07, 30 June 2006
A mathematical convention is a fact, name, or usage which is generally agreed upon by mathematicians. For instance, the fact that one evaluates multiplication before addition in the expression 
is merely conventional: there is nothing inherently significant about the order of operations. Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other mathematicians to understand what they write without constantly having to redefine basic terms. (Imagine if every mathematical paper began with an explanation of PEMDAS!)
Nearly all mathematical names and symbols are conventional. The longer a name or notation has been in use, the more likely it is to become a mathematical convention. Unfortunately, some notational questions stubbornly refuse to develop conventional solutions, usually because two or more competing conventions achieve wide-spread usage. See, for example, the article on Natural numbers.
Alternate meaning
In English, a convention is also "a place where people convene, or come together." Thus, the phrase "mathematical convention" is also used to denote a convention whose purpose is mathematical. For instance, Mu Alpha Theta describes its yearly gatherings as conventions.
