Skip to main content

A Visual Representation of Mathematical Expressions

  • Conference paper
Visual Representations and Interpretations
  • 306 Accesses

Abstract

Mathematical expressions are statements for describing the abstract world. Most kinds of mathematical expressions are of a textual form but they can also involve the use of graphical pictures as well, such as the use of Venn diagrams to describe the relationship between sets. This paper looks at a formal specification language used in software engineering called Z [1, 2] whose foundations are based on first-order predicate calculus and set theory. Z is often used for describing the properties of a system by structuring these properties into manageable constructs called schema. Each schema describes the system’s properties using mathematical expressions that are formed by mathematical symbols with special meanings together with conventional alphabets. Two basic forms of expressions can often be found in any Z specification, unary and binary expressions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Spivey M. The Z notation: A reference manual. 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  2. Diller AZ. - An introduction to formal methods. 2nd Edition John-Wiley & Sons, 1994

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  3. Lamport L. LATEX: A document preparation system; 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  4. Jordan D, McDermid L, Toyn I. CADiZ: Computer Aided Design in Z. In: Nicholls J (ed) Proc. of the 5th Annual Z User Meeting. Springer-Verlag 1991

    Google Scholar 

  5. Flynn M, Hoverd T, Brazier D. Formaliser: an interactive support tool for Z. In: Nicholls J (ed) Proc. of the 4th Annual Z User Meeting. Springer-Verlag, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yap CN, Holcombe M. Graphical Z specifications. In: Proc. PPIG’97, Psychology of Programming Interest Group, 9th Annual Workshop, Sheffield Hallam University, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Yap CN, Holcombe M. Using graphical icons to build Z specifications, In: Proceedings of the Northern Formal Methods Workshop, eWics (Electronic Workshops in Computer Science) series, Springer-Verlag, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Springer-Verlag London

About this paper

Cite this paper

Yap, C.N., Holcombe, M. (1999). A Visual Representation of Mathematical Expressions. In: Paton, R., Neilson, I. (eds) Visual Representations and Interpretations. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0563-3_40

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0563-3_40

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-082-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-0563-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics