TeXipedia

iota

Represents the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, commonly used in mathematical notation and physics equations.

Overview

Serves as a versatile symbol across multiple scientific disciplines, particularly in mathematics and physics where Greek letters are standard notation.

  • Often used as an index variable in mathematical sequences
  • Appears in complex analysis to represent the imaginary unit in some contexts
  • Common in physics notation, especially in quantum mechanics and electromagnetic theory
  • Frequently employed when multiple index variables are needed, typically after alpha, beta, and gamma

Examples

Using iota to represent the imaginary unit in complex analysis.

f(z)=eiιzf(z) = e^{i\iota z}
f(z) = e^{i\iota z}

Representing a canonical injection mapping in category theory.

ι:XY\iota: X \to Y
\iota: X \to Y

Denoting the inclusion map of a subspace in topology.

ιA:AX\iota_A: A \hookrightarrow X
\iota_A: A \hookrightarrow X