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Algebra - Symbols

Please select a resource from the list below.

Quick Reference

  • Scientific notation
    This leaflet explains scientific notation.
  • Sigma notation
    This leaflet explains sigma notation.
  • Sigma notation
    Sigma notation provides a concise and convenient way of writing long sums. This leaflet explains how.
  • Symbols
    Mathematics provides a very rich language for the communication of concepts and ideas, and a set of powerful tools for the solution of problems. In order to use this language, it is essential to appreciate how symbols are used to represent quantities, and to understand the conventions which have been developed to manipulate them.
  • The exponential constant e
    The letter e is used in many mathematical calculations to stand for a particular number known as the exponential constant. This leaflet provides information about this important constant, and the related exponential function.
  • The modulus symbol
    This leaflet explains the use of the modulus symbol in conjunction with inequalities.

Teach Yourself

  • Mathematical language
    This introductory booklet describes conventions used in mathematical work and gives information on the appropriate use of symbols.

Test Yourself

Video

A transcript of each video should be available in the Teach Yourself section above.

(This site uses Windows Media technologies from Microsoft to deliver video streams. Streaming facilities are kindly provided by University of Portsmouth Creative Technologies, http://stream.port.ac.uk)

These videos require Windows Media Player (v10).

Please note: You may experience trouble with more recent upgrades to Internet Explorer (now v.7) and Media Player (now v.11). These no longer support streaming from the mms servers used by mathcentre, so we are recommending that you uninstall IE7 (IE6 lies underneath) and replace the new version of WMP with the fully functioning v.10 (you may need to find a download via google after uninstalling v.11). All those that have done this have reported back that everything is working again.

  • Mathematical language
    This introductory section provides useful background material on the importance of symbols in mathematical work. It describes conventions used by mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. (Mathtutor Video Tutorial)