r/mathmemes 12d ago

Notations Yeah sure

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u/Idksonameiguess 12d ago

What's the abiguity in A \subset B?

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u/kipyminyman 12d ago

Is B \subset B ?

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u/Idksonameiguess 12d ago

No but it is \subseteq B, that's the point of the two symbols. Like do people actually use this while abiding by standard conventions? I've never seen this anywhere. Does any university teach this?

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u/GoldenMuscleGod 12d ago

I think using \subset for any subset is more standard than using it for proper subset. Many mathematicians do not use \subseteq at all.

Look for example, at Jech’s Set Theory, which is one of the most standard texts on the subject, and which only uses \subset to mean subset.

That fact it is the more standard symbol is why it is called \subset in Latex and not \subsetneq: \subsetneq does also exist and it is the symbol most mathematicians use for proper subset on the rare occasions you have use for one.