The objective of this manual is to improve the international exchange of scientific information. The recommendations made to achieve this end come under three general headings. The first is the use of quantity calculus for handling physical quantities, and the general rules for the symbolism of quantities and units, described in chapter 1. The second is the use of internationally agreed symbols for the most frequently used quantities, described in chapter 2. The third is the use of SI units wherever possible for the expression of the values of physical quantities; the SI units are described in chapter 3. Later chapters are concerned with recommended mathematical notation.
