If you plan on participating in alt.algebra.help you are encouraged to read this document. Reading this document just might answer your question before you even ask it, and will also inform you of a few other useful things such as how to represent mathematical expressions, what types of topics can be discussed, etc. Not reading it will not cause the end of the world, but it may result in someone having to repeat something that has already been discussed ad infinitum, asking for clarification of your notation, or referencing you back to this document.
