Conventions

The following conventions are used when writing:

Vectors

Vectors are denoted in one of three ways, in everyday use vectors are bold, but not upright. In quantum mechanics state vectors are denoted with bras and kets. The magnitude of a vector quantity is either denoted with absolute value bars or simply with the same letter but not bold. In relativity four-vectors are written without special typesetting, although often with an index which distinguishes them from scalar quantities. In pure maths contexts, such as either of the symmetries courses or the categories course, vectors are written with no special typesetting.

Matrices

Matrices are typically denoted by capital letters. Usually there is no other notation, but occasionally matrices are written upright or distinguished in some way when it is important to be specific about which variables are matrices and which are scalars.

Defining Words

When a word is defined for the first time the word is in bold (this convention was only started in third year so does not apply before then). A bold word can be assumed to be defined by the surrounding text.

Emphasising words

When it is felt that extra emphasis is needed italics is used.