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The fourth Greek letter, meaning change or difference in almost every field.
Also known as: Greek letter delta, Delta symbol, Change symbol, δ, Triangle symbol maths
Delta is the one Greek letter with something close to a consistent meaning across fields: change, difference, or a small amount. Its capital form Δ is the one most people meet, standing for the difference between two values.
In mathematics and physics, denotes a change or difference between two values, written as a capital delta.
Contexts: Mathematics
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 calculus, denotes an infinitesimally small quantity, in its lowercase form.
Contexts: Mathematics
In algebra, denotes the discriminant of a quadratic equation.
Contexts: Mathematics
In chemistry, denotes heat applied to a reaction, written above the reaction arrow.
Contexts: Mathematics
In geography, denotes a river delta, named for the triangular shape of the capital letter.
Contexts: Mathematics
Is nearly alone among Greek letters in carrying a stable idea across fields: wherever it appears, it usually concerns difference or change rather than an arbitrary named quantity.
Contexts: Mathematics
Gave its name to river deltas, because Herodotus observed that the mouth of the Nile is shaped like the capital letter.
Contexts: Mathematics
In its capital form an equilateral triangle standing on a flat base; in lowercase, a rounded loop with a small curved stroke rising from its top.
Capital delta is a bare triangle and the warning sign is a bordered one; the resemblance is of outline only, and the two appear in settings that never overlap.