Definition talk:Abuse of Notation

$ \cdots $

I think the most abused notation is that of $\cdots$, especially for infinite series. This is poked at by the (not-entirely-serious) riddle: what is $(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)\cdots(x-z)$? (Answer: $0$ because it contains $(x-x)$). Maybe someone with better writing skills than me wanna add something about $\cdots$? — Timwi (talk) 21:18, 15 December 2012 (UTC)

Nope. --prime mover (talk) 21:18, 15 December 2012 (UTC)

Not a very inviting reply, but alright. — Timwi (talk) 22:29, 16 December 2012 (UTC)

Add the riddle to the jokes page if you like, but to categorise $\cdots$ as notation abuse is IMO not helpful. In itself it is not an abuse of notation.

Maybe specific instances of it are instances of abuse, but such are called "stupid mistakes by incompetent mathematicians". :-) --prime mover (talk) 22:59, 16 December 2012 (UTC)