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In my probability exam does it matter how I write 'P' to denote probability

In the lecture notes, the proability symbol is written like the one in the image below, but i like to write it using a normal P instead, if i write the normal P sign to denote probability in my university exam, is it possible that i'll lose marks? The way the lecturer does it is too messy in my opinion

This is how it is in the lecture notes, and how my professors write it:
https://i.sstatic.net/LdYqt.jpg

This is how I like to write it:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/iIzZidvgpA-mlQqsdxtBmiYMP2jjBf20BWiqQw9IVqkyRTgAUODiXXsrHDS7Kt9YVlRsFURqGBpV1yU5Evsv8ykVGkta8dYf

Reply 1

tonyiptony

That's not a very important notation issue, if at all, comparing to writing N instead of $\mathbb{N}$ (here they actually mean different things).
If your lecturer is particularly stingy, then it's at most a mark or two (which in the grand scheme of things, inconsequential).

Reply 2

muhammad0112

I see, is the same same thing true for E (expected value)? my lecturer writes it in the stylised way, I prefer to just write it normally. In my head, I was worried the entire exam would be wrong if I wrote it incorrectly during the exam

Reply 3

tonyiptony

Original post

by muhammad0112

Marking for uni maths is not that punishing for that aspect. Notations are all over the place in maths anyway. I've seen the expectation written as EX, E[X], E(X) in various styles of E, and even <X> (in physics, apparently) etc. Checkout the wikipedia page for "expectation notation"

The only ones that are really important are $\mathbb{N,Z,Q,R,C}$ , as they actually mean something specific agreed by almost everyone. If you get into algebra, you might see $\mathbb{F,K}$ .

If you are really paranoid, next time write "the expectation is E[X] = blah", or "the probability is P(X<3) = blah" (which should be the gold standard anyway - write the quantity you're trying to compute in words first, followed by the notation of your choice).

EDIT: If you really want an answer, ask your lecturer instead of some random strangers on the Internet.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

muhammad0112

Original post

by tonyiptony

Marking for uni maths is not that punishing for that aspect. Notations are all over the place in maths anyway. I've seen the expectation written as EX, E[X], E(X) in various styles of E, and even <X> (in physics, apparently) etc. Checkout the wikipedia page for "expectation notation"
The only ones that are really important are $\mathbb{N,Z,Q,R,C}$ , as they actually mean something specific agreed by almost everyone. If you get into algebra, you might see $\mathbb{F,K}$ .
If you are really paranoid, next time write "the expectation is E[X] = blah", or "the probability is P(X<3) = blah" (which should be the gold standard anyway - write the quantity you're trying to compute in words first, followed by the notation of your choice).
EDIT: If you really want an answer, ask your lecturer instead of some random strangers on the Internet.