Equation 6 · Part 2 · Measuring Tool Protocols and the Model Context Protocol: Evidence, Benchmarks, and Uncertainty
subscript
subscript
What this part means
The lower label selects a particular version, component, or indexed member of the quantity. For example, x₀ and xₜ can be values at different positions.
Its job in the formula
A subscript distinguishes a version, component, step, or member of a quantity. It does not automatically mean multiplication.
Full expression→subscript→Article meaning
The passage around this formula
A simple linear model makes the assumption underneath that spread explicit. If a system prompt costs tokens before any tools are added, and each of n tools costs on average tokens to describe, total schema overhead is approximately
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 →
Sources cited in the article section
- [10] MCP spec should address tool schema token overhead (~1000 tokens/tool consumed per session) ↗
- [12] Tool-Schema Compression Enables Agentic RAG Under Constrained Context Budgets ↗
- [11] "How Many Tools Should an LLM Agent See? A Chance-Corrected Answer" ↗
These citations provide research context; check each source for the exact claim it supports.