[rjeli]

If they had used ‘x’ instead, I would be scouring the comment for where the variable had been introduced.

[yesenadam]

Ok, use 'x' and write "(note that 'x' means multiplication)" instead of "(note that \* means multiplication, there doesnt seem to be a way to escape an asterisk)". More legible and shorter and 'symbol is already used for the purpose' and..