How to Look Up the Meaning of an Unknown Math Symbol or Expression
Drawing --> Latex commands --> ChatGPT summary --> Google more info
Cross-posted from here.
Workflow
Here’s a general workflow for identifying the meaning of an unknown mathematical symbol/expression:
- use an online tool (like webdemo.myscript.com/views/math) to convert a drawing of the symbol/expression into Latex commands
- ask ChatGPT (chat.openai.com, free version 3.5 is fine) what the math symbol/expression given by those Latex commands means
- based on ChatGPT's explanation, perform Google searches for more specific information/examples/fact-checking as needed
Demonstration
Here’s an demonstration on the expression $\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n \textrm E[X_i].$
Step 1: Drawing $\to$ Latex Commands
![image](https://justinmath.com/files/blog/symbol-lookup-step-1.png)
Step 2: Latex Commands $\to$ Summary
![image](https://justinmath.com/files/blog/symbol-lookup-step-2a.png)
![image](https://justinmath.com/files/blog/symbol-lookup-step-2b.png)
Step 3: Summary $\to$ More Specific Information / Examples / Fact-Checking
![image](https://justinmath.com/files/blog/symbol-lookup-step-3a.png)
![image](https://justinmath.com/files/blog/symbol-lookup-step-3b.png)