Re: [Phys-l] spelling

[trappe@physics.utexas.edu]

Thanks to both John D and Jack U.  I encountered both.  However, I  
already  consulted the dictionary to see if it was common cross-useage  
of the spelling, before I wasted your time.  What I wanted to know was  
if anyone recalled any unofficial misuse in another text, perhaps in  
common useage elsewhere.

The (John D) scalers I recalled were Picker Nuclear Scalers that were  
used in my undergraduate lab in nuclear physics.  The desk Webster  
dictionary,  which I consulted, also used scaler in sense similar to  
the use of ruler.

However, I was specifically interested in the math/physics application  
in applying vectors.

Finally, I did the obvious and Googled.  There is a somwhat convoluted  
math application of scaler vs scalar used in describing computer core  
memory levels.  Alas, that was not what I sought, either.

Thanks, I presume that the crossover spelling is not allowed, and is a  
difficulty in reading issue...(my own) :>)  Karl

Quoting 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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