# Using Greek letters with subscripts as symbols

I'd like to use Subscript[ϕ, 1] as a function name:

Subscript[ϕ, 1][x_] = C1 + C2*x + C3*Exp[α*x] + C4*Exp[-α*x]


But as I use

?Subscript[ϕ, 1]


I get the error meassage

Information::ssym: Subscript[ϕ, 1] is not a symbol or a valid string pattern. >>


How can I define Subscript[ϕ, 1] as a symbol so that I get an output?

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Related: (373) – Mr.Wizard Jul 23 '13 at 11:15

Best to use the Notations package and the function Symbolize which you will find discussed elsewhere on this site (and here).

Note that I am using screen grabs rather than cut and paste because cut and paste is rather screwy for symbolized subscripts.

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Okay, it seems the pseudo-Symbol behavior was not extended to Information in Version 7. I'm getting rid of my comments above. – Mr.Wizard Jul 23 '13 at 11:32
@Mr.Wizard FWIW I am using V8 this evening. – Mike Honeychurch Jul 23 '13 at 11:34

A few points:

1: You probably want to use SetDelayed rather than Set: Subscript[ϕ, 1][x_] := . . .

2: The definition is made but it is attached to Subscript:

Subscript[ϕ, 1][x_] := C1 + C2*x + C3*Exp[α*x] + C4*Exp[-α*x]

?? Subscript

Attributes[Subscript] = {NHoldRest}

Subscript[ϕ, 1][x_] := C1 + C2 x + C3 Exp[α x] + C4 Exp[-α x]


3: The definition works as expected:

Subscript[ϕ, 1][7]

C1 + 7 C2 + C4 E^(-7 α) + C3 E^(7 α)


4: If you were not also using a SubValues pattern you could use TagSet/TagSetDelayed to attach the definition to the Symbol ϕ:

ϕ /: Subscript[ϕ, 2] := "stuff"

? ϕ

ϕ /: Subscript[ϕ, 2] := stuff

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