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Consider a simple weighted sum:

enter image description here

My phrase to describe it is (without the proper math notation):

The expression corresponds to a weighed sum, where w_i is the variable being added.

(So, the weights are delta_i, which add up to one.)

The aim of the phrase is to differentiate w_i from delta_i. However, I am not satisfied with this phrase. Other options I have think of are even worse (and probably wrong):

  • the variable upon which the sum is carried out.

  • the variable to be summed over.

  • the variable being weighted by delta_i.

Any ideas what expression is preferred to be used here?

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  • I take it you want the 'i' as a subtext? You can use <sub></sub> tags for that.
    – marcellothearcane
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 14:26
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    First of all, weights are always the 'w' term. Don't cross the beams! Second, there's no requirement that the summed weights add up to anything. You can always normalize later if you must.
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 14:27
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    Non-mathematician here, but using weighted variable for sales analysis, for the same type of problems (when addressing people unfamiliar with weighted variables) I personally use "weighted variable" and "weight" . Usually people understand.
    – P. O.
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 14:34

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As in my comment, the 'w' are the weights; the deltas are the values. The deltas are not variables: they are the members of a set delta{1,2,...,n} .

In your text, then, just write "...sum of the sample set deltai, weighted by the corresponding weights wi . "

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  • Not always. In my context, w stand for wages, which is the central variable running through out my analysis, and takes prominence to whatever convention in terms of weights exists. Additionally, in many contexts, I have seen omega as weights.
    – luchonacho
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 14:46
  • @luchonacho Traditionally, the weight is applied to the quantity being summed and therefore it is written before the sample value. Maybe you should write. a <sub>i</sub> w <sub>i</sub> where a is the adjustment value
    – Jim
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 15:00

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