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Mathematical, Math Symbols List or Chart
- summary list or chart of symbols and operators used within mathematical, math or maths calculations.
Letter and symbols includes:
• Greek alphabet & uses • Mathematical symbols • Special / typographical symbols
There are many signs, symbols and operators that are used in mathematical equations.
Many of these mathematical of math symbols are in common use, although many are not.
As some mathematical symbols are not often used, a list or chart of them is included here, including the more common symbols for completeness.
Below is a list, table or chart of some of the more common mathematical symbols that may be seen in a variety of areas.
| Mathematical Symbols |
Name Meaning |
Explanation / example of Mathematical Symbols |
|---|---|---|
| + | Plus addition |
The addition of two or more quantities, e.g. 2 + 3 = 5 |
| - | Minus | This represents the subtraction of one quantity from another, e.g. 3 - 2 = 1 |
| × | Multiplication, multiply | This operator represents the multiplication of two quantities, e.g. 3 × 2 = 6 |
| * | Multiplication | The * is the same as the x multiplication sign, but it is often used in computer terminology as a result of possible confusion with the letter 'x'. |
| ⋅ | Multiplication | The ⋅ is the same as the × multiplication sign, but it is often used in mathematical notations to prevent possible confusion with the letter 'x'. e.g. y × x is often written as y ⋅ x. |
| ÷ | Division, divide | This is used to indicate that one number is divided by another, e.g. 3 ÷ 2 = 1.5 |
| / | Division, divide | This is used instead of the ÷ character which is not widely used in computer characters. An example would be 3 / 2 = 5, and it represents the format of fractions. |
| = | Equals | x = y means that x and y are equal and represent the same value. |
| ≠ | Not equal to | x ≠ y means that x and y are not the same and do not represent the same value, e.g. 3 ≠ 4. |
| ∴ | Therefore, hence | Sometimes used in proofs before logical consequences |
| ~ | Similar to | m ~ n means the quantities m and n have the same order of magnitude, or general size, e.g. 110 ~ 111. |
| ≈ | Almost equal | x ≈ y means x is approximately equal to y, e.g. 110 ≈ 110.112233 |
| ≅ | Congruent to | |
| ∑ | Sum | This sign is used where a sum of quantities is required, The range over which the sum takes places are normally marked at the bottom and top right hand sides of the ∑ sign. |
| ≡ | Equivalent | This sign is used to represent equivalence. The two items that are equivalent would not be directly equal. |
| √ | Square root | This is used to indicate the square root of a number, e.g. √2 = 1.414 |
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Integral | This is used to indicate that an equation is integrated. The range over which the integration takes places are normally marked at the bottom and top right hand sides of the ∫ sign. For example ∫ f(x) dx represents a function whose derivative is f. |
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Contour integral | Similar to the standard integral, but this mathematical symbol is used to denote a single integration over a contour, i.e. a closed curve or loop. |
| δ | delta | |
| ∝ | Proportional | This symbol is used to indicate proportionality, possibly to show that when one figure doubles so does the other. For example y ∝ x when y = k ⋅ x |
| ∞ | Infinity | |
| ∧ | AND | Used to indicate the Boolean "AND" operator |
| ∨ | OR | Used to indicate the Boolean "OR" operator |
| ∠ | Angle | Used to indicate an angle. It may be used in a variety of ways, possibly along with a figure to show it represents an angle. |
| ⊥ | Perpendicular | Used to indicate that two lines are perpendicular to each other. |
| ± | Plus or minus. | Used in a variety of ways to indicate that the figure could be plus or minus. It is often used to provide a range, e.g. 10 ± 2 or equivalently 10 ± 20% means the range from 10 ? 2 to 10 + 2, or 10 + 20% or 10 - 20%. |
While there may be other mathematical symbols, math symbols that are used on some occasions, the list or chart above covers most of the commonly used ones..
Other popular reference pages & tables . . . . . |
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| • dBm / Watts table | • Trig functions | • Fourier series | • Constants |
| • SI base units | • SI prefixes | • Sidereal time | • Greek letters |
| • Resistivity | • Physical constants | • Capacitance | • Circuit symbols |


