2006-10-19 23:45:46 · 7 answers · asked by Amanda L 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
M means (the metric)
2006-10-19 23:49:18 · answer #1 · answered by ☺♥? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi!
It is the same reason why x, y and z are chosen as the alphabets to represent the three dimensional axes in geometry.
It is purely arbitrary. It could have been any one of the alphabets or even a symbol.
What is important is our understanding of the concept of gradient in the greater scheme of things.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-20 00:17:58 · answer #2 · answered by scyxav 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No special reason at all as others have said. It reminds me, though, when people used to get muddled about what m and c meant in the straight line equation y = mx + c, we were told m is for mountain and hence gradient.
2006-10-20 03:11:36 · answer #3 · answered by RATTY 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If by considerring gradient you wanted to use g instead, that might confuse g for gravity for other people.
It's just arbitary why m is used but I think that's the reason why g isn't used instead.
2006-10-21 15:27:10 · answer #4 · answered by Inviz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because mathematicians like to complecate things so the rest of us idiots have no idea what is going on. It seems to be rather an elitist subject.
2006-10-20 06:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by fatal_essence 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is just a representative...
2006-10-19 23:53:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people use y = mx + c, others use y = ax +b
There is no reason
2006-10-20 00:51:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋