Articles before variables with names

Question

Is the article usage in these examples correct:

1. "Given a mesh M, ..."

2. "Given the vertices of a mesh M, ..."

3. "Define a variable X, ..."

This suggests that it's not:

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/386907/articles-before-variables-with-names?rq=1

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Zohar LeviThis suggests that it's not:https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/386907/articles-before-variables-with-names?rq=1

I don't think so. Their contexts are different from yours. You are setting things up. And they address only the definite article.

Zohar Levi1. "Given a mesh M, ..."

If we already know what mesh M is, no article, but if not, use the article to mean "given a mesh that we will refer to hereafter as 'M'".

Zohar Levi2. "Given the vertices of a mesh M, ..."

Same as 1.

Zohar Levi3. "Define a variable X, ..."

More context is needed, but when I have seen things like that, it meant I should define a variable and call it X, not that I should find the variable X you're talking about and define it. The article is needed for the former interpretation.

Articles before variables with names

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