Indet

Indet is a shorthand abbreviation derived from indeterminate or indeterminacy, used in various technical writings to flag that a value, outcome, or state has not yet been determined or is not uniquely defined by the available information. The term does not refer to a single universal symbol, but rather to a label that researchers may apply in context.

In mathematics and calculus, indet often appears in the discussion of limits. An indeterminate form, such as 0/0 or ∞−∞, signals that the limit cannot be determined from the form alone and requires further analysis, such as algebraic manipulation, the application of L’Hôpital’s rule, or a change of variables. The label helps readers recognize the need for additional steps beyond straightforward substitution.

In algebra, an indeterminate variable is a symbol representing a value to be determined rather than a fixed constant. Such variables, sometimes described informally as indet, act as placeholders that will be given specific values within a problem or theory. They are commonly denoted by letters like x, t, or y.

Beyond pure mathematics, indet can be used in science and engineering to describe sensor readings, data points, or model states whose values are currently unknown or not yet specified. The exact usage depends on the field, the author, and the accompanying notation.

See also: indeterminacy, indeterminate form, placeholder, variable.