HP TextEngineer Technical Writing Guide - Manual (Page 5)

Company Writer's Guide
[For Illustration Only] 1-5
In text, use the word form of common abbreviations such as percent, degree, number, equal to,
plus, minus, less than, greater than, and the like. Symbols should be used in the following cases:
• For temperatures given with a numerical value, use the degree symbol (32°C, etc.).
•
For equations, either written in-line with the text or displayed (standing alone), use
symbols.
•
In graphics (figures and tables), use symbols if space is a problem.
The use of symbols in text should be avoided in most cases. Write out phrases to ensure clarity.
For example, use “greater than” instead of “>.” The following generally accepted symbols may be
used:
• Delta Δ
•
Degrees Celsius °C
•
Degrees Fahrenheit °F
• Plus or minus ±
The following symbols should be avoided, but may be used when necessary, such as in tables and
figures, to save space:
• Equal to =
•
Approximately
∼
•
Greater than >
•
Less than <
•
Greater than or equal to
≥
•
Less than or equal to <
•
Inches "
•
Feet '
•
Number #
•
Plus +
• Minus -
• And &