5
$\begingroup$

We have symbols for everything but there is no symbol for "example" despite examples being fundamental to achievements.

Why is there no symbol for "example" when there are symbols for everything else?

I'd like to be able to write a formula and then have a symbol that is commonly understood to represent that what is presented is an example.

Why is this not a good idea and was not introduced?

For example:

E=hf ¤: f=3Hz... if we use ¤ as symbol for an example
$\endgroup$
5
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ a little funny (possibly ironical, idk I'm far from 'good' at english) since you used "for example" although you're discussing condensing that phrase to a symbol :P $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 2:32
  • 5
    $\begingroup$ I simply use, e.g., a lot, when writing, e.g. ;-), and introducing examples, here on Math.SE. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 2:39
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ At least in math, even of a greater importance than examples seem to be counterexamples. I've found quite handy using for them ⚡e in my notes. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 4:48
  • 8
    $\begingroup$ Well, we have a string of seven symbols for it... $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 6:12
  • $\begingroup$ E.g. should work. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 3, 2015 at 17:04

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
30
$\begingroup$

I'd hardly say "we have symbols for everything".

The reason this is not a good idea is that the word "example" is not used in any context other than its natural language meaning; in contrast, "for all", "there exists", "implies", etc. are phrases which mathematicians want to use inside the mathematics, where the symbols $\forall$, $\exists$, $\implies$ come in handy. In fact, I (for one) generally avoid even using those symbols; I'd much prefer to write $$A=\{x\in X\mid \text{ for all }y\in Y,{\scriptsize\textit{ blah blah blah }}\ldots\}$$ as long as it isn't too unwieldly to parse.

There is no added benefit to having a symbol for "example"; using a symbol that serves no purpose other than to replace an English word, outside of the mathematical content of a discussion, just creates a barrier to understanding. I mean, if you want a symbol for "example", why not have a symbol for the word "remark"? Or "conjecture"? Or "bibliography"? Or "the"?

$\endgroup$
5
  • 6
    $\begingroup$ I wish there were a symbol for "great answer". $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 4:21
  • $\begingroup$ I should note out that you're avoiding the informal use of the $\forall$ symbol, and that that symbol has a formal use as a quantifier where it's difficult to avoid - for instance, talking about something like the $\exists\forall\exists$ sentences of a theory is much harder without the formal symbols... $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 5:26
  • $\begingroup$ @Steven: Yes, that's absolutely true; I was only answering the question in the context that I thought (hoped...?) the OP intended, namely, informal symbols. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 5:34
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @Isaac: There is, it's that red upward arrow next to Zev's answer. ;) $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 5:58
  • $\begingroup$ There's also ✓, but that's only available to the asker. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 31, 2013 at 6:39
5
$\begingroup$

Examples aren't in mathematics. They are tools for learning mathematics, but are exterior to mathematical systems. There couldn't be a "mathematical" symbol for it for just that reason. Granted, you could use a symbol, but it would be just a symbol that represents a word, not an acceptable character in a well-formed formula.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.