What it means
The sixth Greek letter. ζ is the Riemann zeta function, at the centre of the most famous open problem in mathematics, and the damping ratio of an oscillating system in engineering.
Read aloud in real formulas
ζ(2) = π²/6
Aethel says
zeta of 2 equals pi squared over 6
the sum of the reciprocals of the squares
ζ < 1
Aethel says
zeta is less than 1
an underdamped system, which oscillates
Typing it
- LaTeX
- \zeta (capital: Z)
- Unicode
- U+03B6, U+0396
Questions
How do you pronounce zeta (ζ)?
It is said “zeta”, roughly ZAY-tuh (US), ZEE-tuh (UK).
What does ζ mean in maths?
The sixth Greek letter. ζ is the Riemann zeta function, at the centre of the most famous open problem in mathematics, and the damping ratio of an oscillating system in engineering.
How do you type ζ?
In LaTeX, write \zeta (capital: Z). Its Unicode code point is U+03B6, U+0396.