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    "The ONLY place anyone could ever encounter the term IFF is in a class on formal logic." That's not true. It is quite common in every branch of math. And the second half of the answer isn't related to the question at all. Commented Nov 19, 2024 at 6:28
  • @freakish Sure, the term may be in a user manual. But without having been exposed to it in a class or in a book, the reader is unlikely to understand it. It's not a factual issue; it's a writing style issue. Commented Nov 19, 2024 at 7:56
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    The vast majority of mathematics is not formal logic, and most mathematicians do not study formal logic. When I studied mathematics, formal logic wasn't taught until an optional third-year module which probably less than 25% of the cohort opted in for (lectures were on Saturdays at 9AM!). But the word "iff" would have been used in practically every module all the way through the whole course, starting on the first day. It may seem like a minor distinction, but it's the basis for your answer, so it matters that it's not literally true. And hyperbole doesn't go down well here. Commented Nov 19, 2024 at 17:14
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    The distinction I refer to is the one between "mathematics" and "formal logic", as the purpose of my comment was to point that distinction out. I apologise if that was unclear, but I also don't think my consistent use of the past tense was unclear enough to suggest that I am still a student. Also it's a bit weird to suggest that I might not have encountered the word "iff" in a course which I said used that word consistently all the way through. Anyway, your primary claim, "The ONLY place anyone could ever encounter the term IFF is in a class on formal logic", is objectively wrong. Commented Nov 20, 2024 at 19:11