# What symbol is this (sample space)?

What is this symbol, pictured below, which is used to denote sample space in probability theory, according to one textbook (UK's A-Level in Statistics from Edexcel).

And how to typeset it in Latex?

• Calligraphic or script captial E. Would \mathcal{E} from package amssymb or \mathscr{E} from mathrsfs do the trick? – yo' Jun 5 '18 at 14:28

I think \usepackage[cal=boondoxo]{mathalfa} and \mathcal{E} might come closest to the symbol you are after. This font is freely available.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[cal=boondoxo]{mathalfa}
\begin{document}
$\mathcal{E}$
\end{document}


However, there is a font mathpi which is a commercial font (see the mathalfa documentation for more information). This I believe is exactly the same font as in your picture.

(from page 7 of the mathalfa documentation)

• OK, but how do we say it? It isn't a greek letter, so do we just say "E" when we pronounce it? I want to be pedantic and find out what this "E" is. Wikipedia's article for sample space gives three possible symbols (S, Omega and U), of which this "E" is none. – Mihael Jun 5 '18 at 14:42
• @Mihael Call it "E" if possible, or "script E" if necessary. – Steven B. Segletes Jun 5 '18 at 14:43
• Looking at the mathalfa documentation (texdoc mathalfa, page 7) I'd say that the mathpi font contains the sought form. – campa Jun 5 '18 at 14:46
• ... though, I forgot, the mathpi fonts are commercial. – campa Jun 5 '18 at 14:53