noun
- plural of subindex; small numbers or symbols written below and to the right of a mathematical expression or chemical formula
Usage: mathematics; chemistry
Examples
- The chemical formula H₂O uses subindices to show the number of atoms.
- In the equation x₁ + x₂ = 10, the subindices distinguish between variables.
- Students often confuse subindices with superscripts in mathematical notation.
- The molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ contains several subindices.
- When writing chemical equations, subindices indicate the number of each type of atom.
- The textbook explained how to read subindices in algebraic expressions.