As in x′ = x + t
"Ex (?) equals ex plus tee".
In Russian it is called "штрих" (shtrikch).
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3Interesting: your word is German, strich (pronounced /ʃtrix/), "line,stroke".– StoneyB on hiatusCommented Jan 7, 2015 at 23:50
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2Related: ell.stackexchange.com/q/43012/3281.– Damkerng T.Commented Jan 8, 2015 at 0:51
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@StoneyB, It means the same thing in Russian.– Vi.Commented Jan 8, 2015 at 1:23
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Just voted to leave open as the related question only states how to prononce it if representing a derivative. This question is more general.– StephieCommented Jan 8, 2015 at 21:00
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3 Answers
The single tick following a variable is often (but not always) used to represent a derivative and (in the United States) is always pronounced "prime." In your example, "Ex prime = ex plus tee."
f(x) = x² <--- "Eff of ex equals ex squared."
f′(x) = 2 x <---- "Eff prime of ex equals two ex."
f′′(x) = 2 <---- "Eff double prime of ex equals two."
In non-mathematical contexts it is called a single quote (or a "tick"). This wikipedia entry differentiates between the prime symbol and the single quote. As they also note, using a single quote (') as a stand-in for prime (′) is not uncommon. Thanks Vi for the link.
I have learned from other respondents that in the UK, Canada and Australia, it is pronounced prime unless it signals a derivative, in which case it can be pronounced dash.
In case you run into these two:
x̅ is pronounced "ex bar"
x̂ is pronounced "ex hat"
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1′ if you want it. Also ″ and ‴ as long as I’m here. Commented Jan 8, 2015 at 0:10
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2It's probably worth mentioning that people do also say "derivative of x" and "second derivative of x" rather than "x prime" and "x double-prime". That's not pronouncing the symbol so much as stating what the symbol means, but it still is worth noting.– KRyanCommented Jan 8, 2015 at 19:31
In my experience, in the specific case where it indicates a derivative, it is pronounced "dash". Odd, I know, as it does not look anything like a dash "-".
In all other circumstances, "prime".
Found this nice general reference on mathematical and scientific symbols pronunciation that may be useful.
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3+1 Where do you hear "dash" used for derivative? I have never heard that directly, but I have heard other people say that that they knew someone who said it....Don't know where those third parties were from though. In math and engineering graduate school in Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington, I only heard prime.– AdamCommented Jan 8, 2015 at 5:21
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2@Adam This is my experience in the UK and Australia. Maybe a UK/US thing?– KeithCommented Jan 8, 2015 at 5:28
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1Growing up in Ireland (which is obviously a very similar experience to England), I also learnt "f dash x" for a derivative, and prime for all other circumstances, so yes, it is probably a UK vs. US thing. Commented Jan 8, 2015 at 14:36
In High School and Junior High in Japan, we read a′ as "a dash."
However, in universities, it is occasionally read as "a prime" due to American influence.
The Oxford English Dictionary (1969) states that it is "usually read as 'a dash' in the explanation of the word 'prime'."
