TS 298 ISO 31-11

TS 298 ISO 31-11 is a terminology-and-notation standard focused on mathematical signs and symbols used in the physical sciences and technology. It addresses how these signs are understood, what they mean, and how their verbal equivalents are used in technical communication. In practice, this helps keep equations, technical reports, and engineering texts consistent and easier to interpret.

Why notation matters in scientific and technical writing

In the physical sciences, the same mathematical symbol can carry different meanings depending on context, so clarity in notation is essential. As general technical context, a vocabulary and notation standard like this supports a shared language for numbers, operators, relations, and special symbols. That is especially useful in multidisciplinary documents, laboratory records, textbooks, and computational engineering material where misreading a symbol can change the meaning of an expression.

What this standard covers and where its boundaries lie

Based on the supplied scope, this standard gives general information about mathematical signs and symbols, their meanings, verbal equivalents, and applications. Its purpose is not to prescribe a specific calculation method, but to improve understanding of notation used across physics and technology. This listing reflects an older TS edition based on ISO 31-11:1992 and it has been withdrawn, so it is most relevant when working with historical terminology, legacy documents, or older technical references.

• Supports consistent interpretation of symbols in technical texts.
• Provides general terminology for verbal equivalents of mathematical expressions.
• Brings notation practices for the physical sciences and technology into one framework.
• Helps align language and symbols in multidisciplinary documentation.