What do you do when a sentence ends with a factorial?
Consider the following sentences which utilizes the mathematical factorial operation:
The answer is 5!.
or
The equation is given by
f(x) = (x+4)!.
Typically in mathematical writing, an expression in a sentence is treated as a word and is therefore punctuated accordingly. But in this case, a period following an exclamation point looks awkward. Would a period still be used here to indicate the end of the sentence?
punctuation
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GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
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Consider the following sentences which utilizes the mathematical factorial operation:
The answer is 5!.
or
The equation is given by
f(x) = (x+4)!.
Typically in mathematical writing, an expression in a sentence is treated as a word and is therefore punctuated accordingly. But in this case, a period following an exclamation point looks awkward. Would a period still be used here to indicate the end of the sentence?
punctuation
asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
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GregDoesMath is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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3
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
1
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago
add a comment |
Consider the following sentences which utilizes the mathematical factorial operation:
The answer is 5!.
or
The equation is given by
f(x) = (x+4)!.
Typically in mathematical writing, an expression in a sentence is treated as a word and is therefore punctuated accordingly. But in this case, a period following an exclamation point looks awkward. Would a period still be used here to indicate the end of the sentence?
punctuation
asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
New contributor
GregDoesMath is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Consider the following sentences which utilizes the mathematical factorial operation:
The answer is 5!.
or
The equation is given by
f(x) = (x+4)!.
Typically in mathematical writing, an expression in a sentence is treated as a word and is therefore punctuated accordingly. But in this case, a period following an exclamation point looks awkward. Would a period still be used here to indicate the end of the sentence?
punctuation
punctuation
asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
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GregDoesMath is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
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GregDoesMath is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
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GregDoesMath is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
asked yesterday
GregDoesMathGregDoesMath
42
42
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3
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
1
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago
add a comment |
3
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
1
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago
3
3
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
1
1
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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The manual of style of the AMS advises:
Each mathematics equation reads as a clause or sentence and is punctuated accordingly. Authors, however, sometimes leave displayed math unpunctuated. Insert commas and periods as needed so that the equation(s), the preceding text, and the following text together read grammatically.
Follow CMS, sections 12.18–12.20, for punctuating mathematical expressions and elided lists, operators, and relations.
This implies that you can choose.
I never punctuate displayed math. The capitalization, or lack of it, of the next line, the vertical spacing, and the indentation are punctuation enough. I would use a period after an inline equation, specially after a factorial, otherwise it is ambiguous if the sentence is an exclamation or an equation involving factorial.
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
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answered yesterday
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The manual of style of the AMS advises:
Each mathematics equation reads as a clause or sentence and is punctuated accordingly. Authors, however, sometimes leave displayed math unpunctuated. Insert commas and periods as needed so that the equation(s), the preceding text, and the following text together read grammatically.
Follow CMS, sections 12.18–12.20, for punctuating mathematical expressions and elided lists, operators, and relations.
This implies that you can choose.
I never punctuate displayed math. The capitalization, or lack of it, of the next line, the vertical spacing, and the indentation are punctuation enough. I would use a period after an inline equation, specially after a factorial, otherwise it is ambiguous if the sentence is an exclamation or an equation involving factorial.
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
answered yesterday
user334738user334738
442
New contributor
user334738 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The manual of style of the AMS advises:
Each mathematics equation reads as a clause or sentence and is punctuated accordingly. Authors, however, sometimes leave displayed math unpunctuated. Insert commas and periods as needed so that the equation(s), the preceding text, and the following text together read grammatically.
Follow CMS, sections 12.18–12.20, for punctuating mathematical expressions and elided lists, operators, and relations.
This implies that you can choose.
I never punctuate displayed math. The capitalization, or lack of it, of the next line, the vertical spacing, and the indentation are punctuation enough. I would use a period after an inline equation, specially after a factorial, otherwise it is ambiguous if the sentence is an exclamation or an equation involving factorial.
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
answered yesterday
user334738user334738
442
New contributor
user334738 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The manual of style of the AMS advises:
Each mathematics equation reads as a clause or sentence and is punctuated accordingly. Authors, however, sometimes leave displayed math unpunctuated. Insert commas and periods as needed so that the equation(s), the preceding text, and the following text together read grammatically.
Follow CMS, sections 12.18–12.20, for punctuating mathematical expressions and elided lists, operators, and relations.
This implies that you can choose.
I never punctuate displayed math. The capitalization, or lack of it, of the next line, the vertical spacing, and the indentation are punctuation enough. I would use a period after an inline equation, specially after a factorial, otherwise it is ambiguous if the sentence is an exclamation or an equation involving factorial.
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
answered yesterday
user334738user334738
442
New contributor
user334738 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The manual of style of the AMS advises:
Each mathematics equation reads as a clause or sentence and is punctuated accordingly. Authors, however, sometimes leave displayed math unpunctuated. Insert commas and periods as needed so that the equation(s), the preceding text, and the following text together read grammatically.
Follow CMS, sections 12.18–12.20, for punctuating mathematical expressions and elided lists, operators, and relations.
This implies that you can choose.
I never punctuate displayed math. The capitalization, or lack of it, of the next line, the vertical spacing, and the indentation are punctuation enough. I would use a period after an inline equation, specially after a factorial, otherwise it is ambiguous if the sentence is an exclamation or an equation involving factorial.
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
answered yesterday
user334738user334738
442
New contributor
user334738 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
edited 21 hours ago
Kris
32.6k541118
32.6k541118
answered yesterday
user334738user334738
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answered yesterday
user334738user334738
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answered yesterday
user334738user334738
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442
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GregDoesMath is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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3
What do the other articles in the journal do?
– Hot Licks
yesterday
1
Yes. ----------
– Greg Lee
yesterday
Enclose the whole item in parentheses of some sort, e.g. The answer is {5!}. or The equation is given by {f(x) = (x+4)!}. [Or if that particular kind of symbol has a special meaning, choose another - even quotation marks will do.] Note also that some style guides say not to put punctuation at the end of an indented quote, so maybe your second example doesn't need a period at all! :-)
– Chappo
22 hours ago
Look up the relevant style manual and let us know. Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
I can't find any examples of this case.
– GregDoesMath
9 hours ago