If your EE is math-heavy, you have probably wondered whether all that inline math eats into your 4,000 words. Equation lines are clearly excluded, but what about the equations sitting inside your sentences?
Equations don't count. The words do.
A formula or equation itself is not counted, even when it sits inline in a sentence. The words you write around it are.
A worked example
Take the sentence: "The area of a circle is given by the formula A = πr²." The words "The area of a circle is given by the formula" count toward your limit. The "A = πr²" does not. So that sentence costs you about 7 words, not 10.
In other words, inline math is not parsed into separate words. Only your prose counts, and standalone equation lines are excluded entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Equations and formulas are not counted, inline or on their own line
- The words you write to explain the math do count
- Inline symbols like A = πr² are excluded from the total
- Write the explanation you need; the math itself is free
Free
Want the full rules on what counts and what does not? Read the word count guide.