Shorthand notation for infinitesimals and infinite numbers

Question

For $r$ is a real number, I can write $r \in \mathbb{R}$.

For $\varepsilon$ is an infinitesimal, I'd like to write something like $\varepsilon \in something$ Is there a symbol for "the set of infinitesimals"? Or alternatively, a commonly used abbreviation for "infinitesimal"?

For $H$ is an infinite (hyperreal) number, I'd like to write something like $H \in \infty$ Is there a symbol for "the set of infinite hyperreals", or a common abbreviation?

Answer 1

In non-standard analysis, a monad (also called halo) is the set of points infinitesimally close to a given point.

On model for extending real numbers is the hyperreal numbers. The set of hyperreals is usually denoted as ${}^*\mathbb{R}$. Given $x \in {}^*\mathbb{R}$, the monad of $x$ is the set

$$\mathrm{monad}(x) = \{\; y \in {}^*\mathbb{R} : x - y \text{ is infintesimal }\;\}$$

For those $x$ where $|x| < n$ for $n \in \mathbb{N}$, we call $x$ finite (or limited). For such a $x$, there is a unique real number belongs to the monad of $x$. It will be called the standard part of $x$ (also known as shadow of $x$).

To specify a number $x$ is infinitesimally small, one can use the notation $x \in \mathrm{monad}(0)$ or $x \in \mathrm{hal}(0)$.

If one want to go beyond this single use of notations for infinitesimals, I'll suggest one pick a textbook on this topic and stick to it. For example, I use following book as reference

Lectures on the Hyperreals (an introduction to Nonstandard Analysis) by Robert Goldblatt

It uses following notations

• Hyperreal $b$ is infinitely close to hyperreal $c$, denoted by $b \simeq c$ if $b - c$ is infinitesimal. This define an equivalent relations on ${}^*\mathbb{R}$. The halo of a point $b$ is the $\simeq$-equivalence class $$\mathrm{hal}(b) = \{ \; c \in {}^*\mathbb{R} : b \simeq c \; \}$$

• Hyperreals $b$ and $c$ are of limited distance apart, denoted by $b \sim c$, if $b - c$ is limited (i.e $|b-c| < n$ for some $n \in \mathbb{N}$). The galaxy of $b$ is the $\sim$-equivalent class $$\mathrm{gal}(b) = \{ \; c \in {}^*\mathbb{R} : b \sim c \; \}$$

• The standard part of $x$ is denoted by $\mathrm{sh}(x)$.

Your mileage may vary.

Answer 2

After more research, I have concluded that, as Bye_world suggests, there is no standard notation for the set of infinitesimals. Here are some of the notations I have seen used:

$\mathcal{I}$, $N$, $\mathbb{N}$, $\Delta$.

Also, for "$x$ is an infinitesimal", I have seen the notation $x \approx 0$.

Answer 3

For infinite numbers there is a fairly common notation in the context of integers $\mathbb N$ and hyperintegers ${}^\ast\mathbb N$. Namely, a hyperinteger is infinite if it belongs to the set complement $${}^\ast\mathbb N\setminus\mathbb N.$$ This is not particularly elegant but introducing special notation for this set may cause even greater confusion.