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The second Greek letter, used for beta particles, coefficients and angles.
Also known as: Greek letter beta, Beta symbol, β
Beta is the second Greek letter and follows alpha through most naming conventions: where alpha took the first quantity, beta takes the second. Its most consequential uses are the beta particle in physics and the beta coefficient in statistics and finance.
Is a letter of the Greek alphabet before it is a symbol: what it denotes is fixed by the field it appears in, not by the character itself. The uses below are the documented conventions, not competing definitions.
Contexts: Mathematics
In physics, denotes a beta particle — an electron or positron emitted in radioactive decay.
Contexts: Mathematics
In statistics, denotes a regression coefficient, or the probability of a type II error.
Contexts: Mathematics
In finance, denotes an asset's volatility relative to the market as a whole.
Contexts: Mathematics
In geometry and trigonometry, denotes an angle, usually the second one labelled.
Contexts: Mathematics
In software, denotes a release made available for testing before general availability.
Contexts: Mathematics
Resembles the Latin letter B closely enough to be misread as one, and the German ß, which is a different character with a different history.
Contexts: Mathematics
A tall vertical stroke descending below the writing line, with two rounded bowls stacked against its right side.
Alpha and beta are used together as the first and second of a numbered series, in radioactive decay and in labelling generally.