Re: [Phys-l] spelling

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

On Tue, 2 May 2006 trappe@physics.utexas.edu wrote:

> Lately, I've gotten careless with spelling of the word scalar.  Is my
> memory off, or did we used to use both scalar and scaler in physics
> texts/courses?  I checked that the root is the same, but don't know
> why I think both are OK for referring to vector dot products, etc.
> Any recollections/sources?  Any that state the obvious as being
> correct, and why?  Thanks, Karl

scaler - a device for rmoving tartar from teeth.
	 a device for cleaning fish.
scalar - n.  (1846} a real number, as opposed to a vector.
	 a.  (1656) having an uninterrupted series of steps on a scale.
	   (and two other definitions).

	I first encountered the use of "scaler" in mathematics while 
correcting papers in a math course at a nearby college submitted by 
students who had difficulty reading textual material.
				Regards,
					Jack
ps The dictionary is often useful for answering spelling questions.


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