Editing Beta (section)

===Mathematics and science===

* Beta is often used to denote a variable in mathematics and physics, where it often has specific meanings for certain applications.
* β is sometimes used as a placeholder for an [[ordinal number]] if α is already used. For example, the two roots of a [[quadratic equation]] are typically labelled {{math|''α''}} and {{math|''β''}}.
* In [[regression analysis]], {{angle bracket|B}} symbolizes nonstandardized partial slope coefficients, whereas {{angle bracket|β}} represents [[Standardized coefficient|standardized (standard deviation-score form) coefficients]]; in both cases, the coefficients reflect the change in the criterion Y per one-unit change in the value of the associated predictor X.
* In spaceflight, [[beta angle]] describes the angle between the orbit plane of a spacecraft or other body and the vector from the sun.
* In physics β is used for a [[beta particle]] (an unbound energetic electron or positron).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rutherford |first=E. |date=January 1899 |title=VIII. Uranium radiation and the electrical conduction produced by it |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14786449908621245 |journal=The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science |language=en |volume=47 |issue=284 |pages=109–163 |doi=10.1080/14786449908621245 |issn=1941-5982}}</ref>
* β is also used in biology, for instance in [[Beta-Carotene|β-Carotene]], a primary source of [[provitamin]] [[Vitamin A|A]], or the [[Β Cells|β cells]] in [[pancreatic islets]], which produce [[insulin]].
* The uppercase letter beta is not generally used as a symbol because it tends to be rendered identically to the uppercase [[B|Latin B]].
* [[Dirichlet beta function]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=Dirichlet Beta Function |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/DirichletBetaFunction.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=mathworld.wolfram.com |language=en}}</ref>