(3x h^2) vs (3h^2 x) ???

Should we always place our terms in alphabetical order, or should they be ordered by degree? Is there a correct and incorrect way to write equations like this?

Question

(3x h^2)  vs (3h^2 x) ???

Should we always place our terms in alphabetical order, or should they be ordered by degree? Is there a correct and incorrect way to write equations like this?

geerky42 · Answer

Not really necessary. Mathematically there is no incorrect order to place term in, it's just a matter of how easy it is to reading expression/equation.

Personally I would place terms in alphabetical order, and probably most of us do, but again it's not really necessary.

Only time order really matters is when we are dealing with something that doesn't allow Commutative Law.