How to Look Up the Meaning of an Unknown Math Symbol or Expression

by Justin Skycak (@justinskycak) on

Drawing --> Latex commands --> ChatGPT summary --> Google more info

Cross-posted from here.

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Workflow

Hereโ€™s a general workflow for identifying the meaning of an unknown mathematical symbol/expression:

  1. use an online tool (like webdemo.myscript.com/views/math) to convert a drawing of the symbol/expression into Latex commands
  2. ask ChatGPT (chat.openai.com, free version 3.5 is fine) what the math symbol/expression given by those Latex commands means
  3. based on ChatGPT's explanation, perform Google searches for more specific information/examples/fact-checking as needed

Demonstration

Hereโ€™s an demonstration on the expression $\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n \textrm E[X_i].$

Step 1: Drawing $\to$ Latex Commands

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Step 2: Latex Commands $\to$ Summary

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Step 3: Summary $\to$ More Specific Information / Examples / Fact-Checking

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