notacja

Notacja, the Polish term for notation, is a system of signs and symbols used to represent information, quantities, relations, or processes. It enables precise communication across people and disciplines by encoding ideas in a compact and reproducible form. Notation relies on conventional meanings assigned to symbols and their arrangement, and its usefulness depends on shared understanding within a field.

Mathematics and science use symbolic notation to describe numbers, operations, and structures: +, −, ×, ÷ for arithmetic; =, ≠, <, > for relations; letters as variables (x, y) and function names (f); and constructs such as limits, integrals, and summations. Physics employs symbols for physical quantities, units, and constants (c for speed of light, h for Planck’s constant). Chemistry uses atomic symbols and formulas (H2O, CO2) and reaction equations. Linguistics and phonetics use notation to transcribe sounds (the International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA). Music uses staff notation with notes and rests to represent pitch and rhythm. Computer science and logic use formal notation for syntax, grammars, and programming languages.

Notational systems are standardized within communities and evolve over time. Standards bodies and publishers promote consistency to prevent ambiguity, while different disciplines may reuse symbols with distinct meanings. Learning notation is a core part of education in each field, and diagrams or annotated examples often accompany symbolic notation to improve clarity.