What are some good letters to use as variables?
For example, I am doing the substitution rule for integrals, and one of the integral already was in terms of u, and that's the letter I normally use. Any recommendations? lol

Question

What are some good letters to use as variables?
For example, I am doing the substitution rule for integrals, and one of the integral already was in terms of u, and that's the letter I normally use. Any recommendations? lol

inkyvoyd · Answer

v

inkyvoyd · Answer

generally speaking, u, v, w, z all work, and so does s and t. Be careful though, since at higher level maths, z and s have special meanings.

inkyvoyd · Answer

For more advanced upper level undergraduate mathematics (think multivariate calculus and differential equations)
u is generally a transform for x,
v is generally a transform for y,
w is often a function of both x and y,
s is used for the laplace transform
z is used for complex variables
t is used for some parameterization, often time based
Greek letters are also used.
Alpha, beta, gamma, are often used for coeffients of known values
rho is reserved in spherical coordinates
delta is of course used for differences
sigma is used for the real part of a complex variable
omega is used for the imaginary part of a complex variable.

inkyvoyd · Answer

of course, these are by no means hard rules, and are just guidelines for reading mathematical literature.

zepdrix · Answer

Hmm great question Steve! :) I found a TEDtalk explaining why the letter x is conventionally used, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX_OxBfsvbk I'm still unsure of the other letters. I know that doesn't quite answer your question, but it's fairly interesting.

inkyvoyd · Answer

Further note: Generally, the first few letters of the alphabet denote known constants, so that's what you'd want to avoid.

steve816 · Answer

Ha, that is really interesting. I didn't know that all these letters corresponded to specific uses. I didn't think it was a good idea to use z and s as z looks like a 2 and s looks like a 5. And I will be sure to watch that video sometime!

zepdrix · Answer

I remember in Differential Equations my teacher giving us a lot of Laplace problems with 5's in them t.t it was so brutal lolol

mww · Answer

I loved using v a lot. t is also very common.

jalil.h · Answer

please close this question if your finished getting help