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I'm writing a mathematical thesis and I have a theorem/sentence which is like

This is proven for the case h = +/- 1.

So actually it is "the cases h = +1 and h = -1".

Here it is shortened to one term (which is actually two cases), should I use "case" or "cases" in the quoted sentence?

KillingTime
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Lereu
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    I'd go with "This is proven for the case h = +/- 1" meaning one case where h equals 1 or -1. Or with "This is proven for the equation h = +/- 1" – Yosef Baskin Feb 05 '24 at 21:41
  • "Corollary for FLT n > 2: FLT is proven if FLT is proven for all cases where n is a prime." https://fermatslasttheorem.blogspot.com/2005/05/fermats-last-theorem-n-4.html So you could say "proven for cases where h = 1 or -1". – TimR Feb 05 '24 at 22:26
  • Either is fine; the singular (where the plural might logically be expected) is called the 'distributive singular'. See Everybody's using a cell phone nowadays vs Everybody's using cell phones nowadays. – Edwin Ashworth Feb 05 '24 at 22:51
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    Either can be used, but which you prefer might depend on whether there are one or two proofs for the values. ±1 could be considered singular or plural. – Stuart F Feb 06 '24 at 12:38
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    You might want to check with your advisor on what is the preferred style. – Barmar Feb 06 '24 at 22:40
  • Where did you get the idea that in English or maths, h = +/- 1 could reasonably be expressed as h = +1 and h = -1?

    In any case, how could this purely mathematical Question belong in English Language & Usage?

    Are you hoping to re-write the language of maths, or what?

     – Robbie Goodwin Mar 12 '24 at 20:31

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