Symbol hatN_e

Its job in the formula

hat$N_e$ is a part of this expression. Its role is fixed by the surrounding article and by the operations shown in the formula.

Where the article explains it

The practical consequence practitioners have to internalize: $\hat{r}^2$ is estimated with noise from a finite sample, and that noise itself creates apparent linkage disequilibrium indistinguishable from drift-generated LD unless it is explicitly subtracted — which is exactly what the 1/S term does, and why the estimator is only trustworthy when the sample size and locus count used to compute it are reported alongside the point estimate, not just the final $\hat{N}_e$ .

Learn the underlying idea

A subscript is a label attached below a symbol. It often selects a time step, component, category, or member of a sequence.

Open the illustrated subscripts: which member of a family? guide →