Why do we use Greek letters, like alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ), in mathematical notation?

Question

Why do we use Greek letters, like alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ), in mathematical notation?

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

Greek letters are used in math because it helps to distinguish between different types of variables and constants. They offer a wider range of symbols than the Roman alphabet, which is already heavily used for other purposes (like standard variables). Plus, it’s a tradition that dates back to ancient times when Greek mathematicians made significant contributions to the field.