Gamma

Template:Two other uses Template:Wiktionarypar2 Template:Table Greekletters Gamma (uppercase Γ, lowercase γ; Template:Lang-el) is the third letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 3. It was derived from the Phoenician letter Gimel Gimel. Letters that arose from Gamma include the Roman C and G and the Cyrillic letters Ge Г and Ghe Ґ.

In Modern Greek, it represents either a voiced velar fricative Template:IPA or a voiced palatal fricative Template:IPA. In Ancient Greek, it represented a voiced velar stop Template:IPA. Before velars, it represents a velar nasal Template:IPA in Modern as well as Ancient Greek, and a double gamma represents a prenasalized voiced velar stop (Template:IPA).

Gamma combinations

The gamma can be combined with other letters or itself.

• A double gamma (γγ) is pronounced like the ng in "jumping"
• A gamma with xi (γξ) is pronounced roughly like the nx in "Sphinx"
• A gamma with chi (γχ) is pronounced like the nkh in "ankh"
• A gamma combined with kappa (γκ) is pronounced like the nk in "banker"

Use as a symbol or a term

Main article: Gamma (disambiguation)

Gamma is often used to denote a variable in mathematics and physics. In certain areas it has a specific meaning, such as representing gamma radiation in nuclear physics and the Lorentz factor in theory of relativity. In mathematics, there is a gamma function (usually written as Γ-function.)

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