Scribd
Upload
36 views5 pages

Prepositions

The document discusses the importance and usage of prepositions in mathematical contexts, highlighting their role in conveying relationships between entities. It provides examples of common prepositions, correct usage, and the avoidance of ambiguity in mathematical writing. Additionally, it emphasizes the flexibility of preposition placement in sentences to enhance clarity and naturalness.

Uploaded by

work job
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views5 pages

Prepositions

The document discusses the importance and usage of prepositions in mathematical contexts, highlighting their role in conveying relationships between entities. It provides examples of common prepositions, correct usage, and the avoidance of ambiguity in mathematical writing. Additionally, it emphasizes the flexibility of preposition placement in sentences to enhance clarity and naturalness.

Uploaded by

work job
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

T O P I C

Little words I.
Prepositions

Prepositions are small yet powerful words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases
to other words within a sentence. Prepositions help convey relationships between
different entities or ideas, such as dimensions, sets, functions, and logical constructs.

1.1 Common prepositions in math


In indicates membership within sets or domains.
Consider a point in a plane.

Between expresses a relationship involving two entities with something in the


middle.
The function achieves its maximum between these two points.

Among is used when the relationship involves more than two entities.
Among the many proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem, one stands out.

Across indicates a span or extension over something.


We apply the transformation across the entire dataset.

Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at


https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65161-8_1.

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024 1


G. Grätzer, The Little Book of Math into English, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65161-8_1
2 Topic 1 Little words I. Prepositions

Figure 1.1: Prepositions: in and under (Vecteezy Library)

Beyond is used to describe a location on the farther side of a specified boundary.


The sequence extends beyond any finite bound.

With respect to is used to describe a relationship of comparison or differentiation,


commonly found in calculus and differential equations.
We want to find the derivative of the function f (x) = x2 with respect to x.

Under is used to indicate a condition or premise.


Under the assumption of continuity, the function behaves predictably.

1.2 Using prepositions correctly


Be careful to use them correctly.

The limit approaches to infinity.


The limit approaches infinity.
The correct expression does not require ‘to’ after ‘approaches’.
———
1.2 Using prepositions correctly 3

The derivative is calculated on x = 3.


The derivative is calculated at x = 3.
When referring to a specific point, ‘at’ is the correct preposition.
———
The function converges in zero.
The function converges to zero.
Use ‘converges to’ when discussing the behavior of a function approaching a
particular value.
———
We integrate the function by 0 to 1.
We integrate the function from 0 to 1.
When specifying the interval of integration, ‘from. . . to. . . ’ is the correct struc-
ture.
———
The series expansion is valid onto a certain radius of convergence.
The series expansion is valid within a certain radius of convergence.
‘Within’ describes being inside the limits of the radius of convergence.
———
The probability of the event is depending on several variables.
The probability of the event depends on several variables.
‘Depends on’ is the correct phrase to indicate dependency, not ‘depending on’.
———
The matrix is orthogonal for the given basis.
The matrix is orthogonal with respect to the given basis.
‘With respect to’ is the proper phrase when discussing how a property relates to
something else.
———
The graph of the function intersects in the y-axis.
The graph of the function intersects the y-axis.
‘Intersects’ doesn’t need a preposition when stating what it intersects with.
———
The eigenvalues are belonging under a specific operator.
The eigenvalues belong to a specific operator.
‘Belong to’ is the correct phrase to indicate possession or association.
———
The solution to the differential equation exists inside a specific domain.
The solution to the differential equation exists over a specific domain.
‘Over’ is often used to discuss the domain where a solution is applicable, though
‘in’ can also be correct depending on context.
4 Topic 1 Little words I. Prepositions

1.3 Placement
Traditional guidelines suggest that a preposition should never be used to end a
sentence.1 However, in practice, ending a sentence with a preposition can make the
sentence more natural and avoid awkward constructions. For example:
The function with which we are dealing. . .
The function we are dealing with. . .

1.4 Prepositions with math terms


On is often used when referring to functions acting on a set or when discussing
surfaces or boundaries.
Plot the points on the Cartesian plane.
The line on the graph represents the function’s slope.
With can describe possession or characteristics, as in equations or properties associ-
ated with math objects.
Solve the equation with variables on both sides.
———
She came up with a solution with the help of calculus.
By is used to indicate division or differentiation, especially in math operations.
Divide 10 by 2 to get 5.
———
The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its length by its width.

1.5 Avoiding ambiguity


Ambiguity in math writing, especially due to the placement of prepositions, can be
problematic.
Consider the elements added to set A from set B.
Consider adding all elements of set B to set A.
The ambiguity arises from whether elements are being selected from set B to
be added to A, or if all of set B is to be combined with A. In formula, { a + b | a ∈
A, b ∈ B }, on the one hand, and { A + b | b ∈ B }, on the other.
———
The function is increasing for values greater than zero.
The function is increasing on the set of positive elements in its domain.
1 In March 7, 2024, linguist John McWhorter wrote in the New York Times: “The idea that you

shouldn’t end sentences with a preposition has always been an utter hoax. Regardless of one’s esteem for
any book or person who taught it to you, it’s utterly baseless.”
1.5 Avoiding ambiguity 5

Figure 1.2: Ambiguity (Vecteezy Library)

Here, the ambiguity lies in the interpretation of ‘values’, which could refer to
the input or output of the function. The clarification specifies that it’s the input values
that are being considered.
———
Place the point at the circle that is inside the square.
Place the point at the center of the circle, which is inside the square.
It’s unclear whether the point is to be placed inside the circle or if ‘inside the
square’ modifies where the circle should be.
———
The relationship between the variables changes with the parameter.
As the parameter increases, the direct relationship between the two variables
becomes inversely proportional.
The statement is vague about how the relationship changes. The clarification
specifies the nature of the change.

You might also like