Learn English – notation or notations

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The LDOCE5 states that "notation" is

a system of written marks or signs used to represent something such as music, mathematics, or scientific ideas

It mentions that this word can be both countable and uncountable but does not say when to use which one. Could you give some example on the difference between notation and notations?

I want to write a paper and I don't know which one of the following expressions is better for the topic of a section:

  1. Notation and parameters

  2. Notations and parameters

  3. Notation

  4. Notations

Best Answer

It seems to me that the adequate title here is either "Parameters" or "Variables".

Usually, when you write a paper about some scientific work, your parameters/variables are not obvious. Naturally, you assign a name or a symbol to each one; but the main point of this section (if I understand correctly) is the variables, rather than the names.

Conversely, if the variables are commonly known and your naming system is an innovation, it makes more sense to title this part "Notation".

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