Does anyone know the origin of the notation $(x-h)$ and $(y-k)$ when shifting functions in algebra? Why $h$ and $k$?
Origin of the notation $(x-h)$ and $y-k$ in shifting
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algebra-precalculus
notation
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2Guess: $h$ is sometimes used as a difference, as in the definition of the derivative. Presumably, $k$ was chose because $i$ and $j$ were bad choices, so it was the "next" good candidate after $h4. – 2011-12-07
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0Random guess: Perhaps it is because the vertex of a quadratic function is related to curvature (a vertex is a place where the instantaneous rate of change of curvature is zero), and Gaussian curvature, for example uses $k_1$ and $k_2$. Rather than $k_1$ and $k_2$, perhaps authors felt they should use $h$ and $k$. More realistically, the choice is just arbitrary. – 2011-12-07
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0Well, "h" for horizontal, and "k" for, erm... – 2011-12-07