notación

Notación is a system of symbols, signs, and conventions used to represent information, processes, and relationships within a domain. It enables concise and precise communication that can be manipulated, transmitted, and learned, often supplementing or replacing natural language. Notation spans mathematics, science, the arts, and linguistics, and evolves to meet the needs of its users.

In mathematics, notation includes symbols such as +, -, ×, ÷, =, and punctuation like parentheses, as well as advanced constructs like ∑, ∫, ∂, and set notation. It supports expressing operations, relations, functions, limits, and structures. The standardization of mathematical notation emerges from communities, textbooks, and publications, facilitating shared understanding across languages and regions.

Beyond mathematics, notation appears in music with the staff, notes, rests, clefs, key and time signatures, dynamics, and articulation marks to convey pitch and duration. In chemistry, chemical formulas, reaction arrows, and structural representations encode composition and processes. In linguistics and phonetics, transcription systems such as the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) encode speech sounds. Scientific notation also refers to compact representations of very large or small numbers, using powers of ten. In logic and computer science, symbols for quantifiers, connectives, and programming syntax express abstract ideas and algorithms, often formatted with tools like LaTeX.

Design considerations for notation include readability, precision, and unambiguity, balanced against expressiveness and learnability. Standards and encodings, such as Unicode and LaTeX, support cross-platform use and interoperability. Notation, by focusing on form and operations, complements natural language and reflects the evolving needs of disciplines to model complex ideas efficiently.