Chapter 2

Overcoming Mathophobia: Reading and

Understanding Mathematical Expressions

IN THIS CHAPTER

Reading mathematical notation

Understanding formulas and what they mean

Working with arrays (collections of numbers)

Let’s face it: Many people fear math, and statistical calculations require math. In this chapter, we help

you become more comfortable with reading mathematical expressions, which are combinations of

numbers, letters, math operations, punctuation, and grouping symbols. We also help you become more

comfortable with equations, which connect two expressions with an equal sign. And we review

formulas, which are equations designed for specific calculations. (For simplicity, for the rest of the

chapter, we use the term formula to refer to expressions, equations, and formulas.) We also explain

how to write formulas, which you need to know in order to tell a computer how to do calculations with

your data.

We start the chapter by showing you how to interpret the mathematical formulas you encounter

throughout this book. We don’t deconstruct the intricacies of complicated mathematical operations.

Instead, we explain how mathematical operations are indicated in this book. If you feel unsure of your

grasp on algebra, consider reviewing Algebra I For Dummies and Algebra II For Dummies, which

are both written by Mary Jane Sterling and published by Wiley.

Breaking Down the Basics of Mathematical

Formulas

One way to think of a mathematical formula is as a shorthand way to describe how to do a certain

calculation. Formulas are made up of numbers, constants, and variables interspersed with symbols that

indicate mathematical operations, punctuation, and typographic effects. Formulas are constructed using

relatively standardized rules that have evolved over centuries. In the following sections, we describe

two different kinds of formulas that you encounter in this book: typeset and plain text. We also describe

two of the building blocks from which formulas are created: constants and variables.

Displaying formulas in different ways

Formulas can be expressed in print in two different formats: typeset format and plain text format:

A typeset format utilizes special symbols, and when printed, the formula is spread out in a two-

dimensional structure, like this: