Mastering Mathematics Smartly
by Wee Wen Shih

A unique self-help website that provides comprehensive coverage of mathematics at A-level & beyond, written in a student-friendly style.

Symbols and their names

We often encounter interesting symbols in mathematics. We name some common ones to get to know them better.

$\alpha$ : alpha

$\beta$ : beta

$\gamma$ : gamma

$\theta$ : theta

$\lambda$ : lambda

$\mu$ : mu

$\sigma$ : sigma

$\phi$ : phi

$\delta$ : delta

$\tau$ : tau

$\epsilon$ : epsilon

$\rho$ : rho

$\omega$ : omega

$\nu$ : nu

$\eta$ : eta

$\chi$ : chi

Mathematical language

$x \in \mathbb{Z}$ means x is a member of the set of integers.

$x \in \mathbb{Q}$ means x is a member of the set of rational numbers.

$x \in \mathbb{R}$ means x is a member of the set of real numbers.

$x \in \mathbb{C}$ means x is a member of the set of complex numbers.

$\{x : x \in \mathbb{R}, x > a\}$ means the set of all real x such that x is greater than a.