Mathematical symbols assist in performing various operations because of the simplification in referring to different quantities.
Some of these symbols show the relationship between two or more quantities when solving problems.
Since mathematics is founded on logical reasoning, numerical calculations, and assessing shapes using several dimensions, it is highly dependent on symbols and numbers.
The math symbol for “where” is applied to provide further explanations for solving expressions.
Despite the lack of a specific symbol for the term in math, it is mostly used in word form to show further explanation about the conditions surrounding the expression.
In expressions, where is usually replaced with the terms “such that” or a colon (:) is used to indicate the conditions. For example, in the equation;
Ax+b+c
Where a = …, b = …,
Based on this expression, there is no specific symbol for the term. In this case, where explains the existing terms in the equation. When replaced with such that, the expression would then become;
Ax + b + c
s.t a = 4, b = 6
The notation s.t is used in place of where to provide the specific terms that a and b represent in the equation, guiding the learner about what to use when substituting the letters with the numerals to find a solution to the equation.
Essentially, where is usually an afterthought. It applies when one requires to explain the various elements in an equation and indicating the condition, but it usually comes as an afterthought.
For example, the equation below explains the terms used in the equation.
x = 2^n, where n is some positive integer
In this expression, the learner learns the meaning and more information about the term n used in the expression, limiting them from using any other terms.
In other instances, the full colon can replace this term in explaining an expression’s condition. For example, as shown below, the colon applies because using the term where can be too wordy when an individual reads out the expression, which can confuse learners.
{x ∈ R: x > 0}
In the set builder above, the notation “:” indicates a condition, read as “where” or “such that” in the set.
The symbols | and ∋ can also apply interchangeably to show where condition in a mathematical operation.
Take away
There is no specific symbol for the term in mathematics because various symbols can apply interchangeably to show the condition and explain the terms.
