sigma: Definition and Much More from Answers.com
- ️Wed Jul 01 2015
Sigma (upper case Σ, lower case σ, lower case in word-final position ς) is the eighteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 200. When used at the end of a word, and the word is not upper case, the final form (ς) is used.
The letter is ultimately derived from Phoenician Sin 
. However, its name derives from
Samekh.
In Eastern forms of Greek writing (as opposed to the Western Greek alphabet used in the European Greek colonies) and in the Middle Ages, the lunate sigma (upper case Ϲ, lower case ϲ) — which resembles, but which is not at all related to, the Latin letter C — was often used. Lunate sigma was frequently used for writing Medieval Greek, and it can still sometimes be seen in inscriptions in Greek Orthodox churches, but also in certain printed editions of classical authors. The form of the Cyrillic letter С [s] and Coptic letter sima are derived from lunate sigma.
On coins from the Hellenistic period in India, the script of later coins sometimes use lunate signa. This was possibly due to Latin influence.
A dotted lunate sigma (sigma periestigmenon, encoded at U+03FE Ͼ) is used by Aristarchus of Samothrace as an editorial sign indicating that the line so marked is at an incorrect position. Similarly, an antisigma (encoded at U+03FD Ͻ) may mark a line that is out of place. A dotted antisigma (antisigma periestigmenon, encoded at U+03FF Ͽ) may indicate a line after which rearrangements should be made, or to variant readings of uncertain priority.
The uppercase form of sigma was borrowed into the Latin alphabet to serve as the uppercase of esh (lowercase: ʃ).
Science and Mathematics
Upper case Σ is used as a symbol for:
- the summation operator
- a class of baryons in particle physics
- macroscopic cross sections in nuclear and particle physics
- in economics this letter is for the balance of the invoice classes, the overall amount of the depts and demands
Lower case σ is used for:
- sigma bonds in chemistry
- the parametric standard deviation of a population (as opposed to a sample) in statistics
- a quality model for business, Six Sigma, based on the standard deviation, often referred to as "6σ"
- sigma-algebras, sigma-fields and sigma-finiteness in measure theory; more generally, the symbol σ serves as a shorthand for "countably", e.g. a σ-compact topological space is one that can be written as a countable union of compact subsets.
- the sum-of-divisors function in number theory
- the Stefan-Boltzmann constant
- the "sigma factor" of RNA polymerase
- a measure of electrical conductivity
- Normal stress in continuum mechanics
- volatility of a stock generally needed for options pricing
- a syllable in phonology
Politics
During the 1930s, an upper case Σ was in use as the symbol of the Ação Integralista Brasileira, a fascist party in Brazil.
Popular culture and use in fiction
- In a practice similar to faux Cyrillic, capital sigmas are sometimes used in place of Roman E to give a Greek flavour to titles or text (for example, the film My Big Fat GRΣΣK Wedding).
- Sigma is the name of the main villain in Capcom's Mega Man X. His symbol is an upper-case sigma formed into a wolf's face.
- Sigma Octanus IV is a fictional planet in the Halo books.
- Sigma is the name of third server in the series of .hack//IMOQ (PS2 video games)
- Mercury-Atlas 8 was called Sigma 7.
- Sigma is a measure of male sexual arousal coined by the character Lawrence Waterhouse in Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon
- The latest edition of the Ninja Gaiden video game series is titled Ninja Gaiden Sigma, set to release on the Playstation 3 in 2007.
- In the television series Doctor Who, Theta Sigma is the nickname of the Doctor.
- The current GI Joe incarnation is entitled G.I. Joe: Sigma 6.
- Sigma is the name of a song from Japanese singer Shiina Ringo.
- Sigma is the title of a 2007 album by eufonius.
- The Sigma Protocol is a 2002 book by Robert Ludlum.
- Sigma Shipyards is the name of a corporation in the Escape Velocity Nova computer game.
- Vector Sigma is the Computer matrix that created the cybertronian lifeforms the Transformers in the popular cartoon series from the 1980s
- Sigma is used in the latter (Chris Redfield) half of survival-horror game Resident Evil Code: Veronica in which you much retrieve 'Clement a ' and 'Clement Σ'
- Sigma 2,3,5,6,7,8,9 Computers produced by Xerox Data Systems in the 1970s following purchase of SDS, Scientific Data Systems by them. Successful range of Scientific Computers similar to IBM 370's.
- A firearm series made by Smith & Wesson called Sigma or VE. The firearm is available in .40 S&W and 9x19mm
- In a season 3 episode of the Disney Channel show That's So Raven, entitled "Members Only", Eddie wishes to join a group in the school named the Sigmas. The Sigmas are the most popular group in their school, and all of the members wore yellow jackets with an uppercase Sigma on the left breast.
- There is a sorority named Sigma Sigma Sigma
Hi-Fi Headphones
Stax Sigma were the top of the range, Stax Electrostatic, "Semi Panoramic Ear Speakers" made in Japan from 1977 onwards.
Sigma refers to a peak state of consciousness when a user of dextromethorphan hydrobromide consumes a near deadly dosage.
Lenses
Sigma Corporation manufactures digital cameras and a vast catalog of photography lenses.
Dept Managing
Sigma Company Limited is a Hungarian debt management firm founded in 1923, connected the TCM Group International.
See also
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