Math Symbols:
The Most Valuable and
Important Symbols Used
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Background - why math symbols are used. . .
Symbols are a concise way of giving lengthy
instructions related to numbers and logic.
Symbols are an invention, not a discovery. They are a
communication tool. Symbols are used to eliminate the need
to write long, plain language instructions to describe
calculations and other processes.
For example, a single symbol stands for the entire process
for addition. The familiar plus sign eliminates the need for a
long written explanation of what addition means and how to
accomplish it.
The same symbols are used worldwide . . .
The
world.
precise
they
The symbols used in mathematics are universal.
same math symbols are used throughout the civilized
In most cases each symbol gives the same clear,
meaning to every reader, regardless of the language
speak.
The most valuable, most frequently used Symbols in
mathematics . . .
The most important, most frequently used math
symbols are
listed below. They are separated into five different
categories:
Operations (computation), Relation, Grouping,
Sets, and
Miscellaneous.
Operations Symbols - click description
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Plus Sign
(Positive Sign)
Minus Sign
(Negative Sign)
Multiplication Sign
(Cross Product
of two vectors)
Multiplication Dot
(Dot Product)
Multiplication Asterisk
(Multiplication Sign)
Division Sign
Forward Slash
(division sign)
Fraction Bar
(division)
Relation Symbols - click description
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Proportionality Sign
Ratio
(Division)
Equal Sign
Not Equal
Not Equal to
(inequality)
Greater Than
(inequality)
Less Than
(inequality)
Much Greater Than
(inequality)
Much Less Than
(inequality)
Greater Than
or Equal to
(Inequality Symbol)
Less Than
or Equal to
(Inequality Symbol)
Approximately Equal
Symbol
Similarity Sign
Congruent Symbol
Grouping Symbols
(delimiters) - click
description
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Parentheses Symbols
(also called
"Round Brackets")
Square Brackets
(also called
"Box Brackets")
Curly Brackets
(also called
"Braces")
Overbar Symbol
(also called
a "Vinculum",
or an "Overline")
Vertical Lines
("Absolute Value" Bars)
Angle Brackets
Nested Groupings
("nested Brackets" ...
... Parentheses,
inside Parentheses")
Math Symbols for Set Notation click description
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Brace Symbols
(used to
Identify Sets)
Null Set
(nothing included
in the
Set)
Element of a Set
("element" of set [on left];
"complete set" [on right])
NOT Element
of a Set
"Proper"
Subset (left)
of Set (right)
(the "Proper" Subset [left] is
only a part of the Set [right])
NOT Proper
Subset (left)
of Set (right)
"Proper" or "Improper"
Subset (left)
of Set (right)
("Improper Subset": the
Subset [left] and the
Set [right] are the same)
"Proper"
Subset (left)
of Set (right)
(same meaning as
symbol directly above)
"Proper"
Subset (right)
of Set (left)
(the Set [left] is
also called a Superset)
"Proper" or "Improper"
Subset (right)
of Set (left)
"Proper"
Subset (right)
of Set (left)
UNION
of Two Sets
INTERSECTION
of Two Sets
Specialized Set Notations
(N [natural numbers], Z [integers],
Q [rational numbers],
and R [real numbers])
Miscellaneous Symbols - click description
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Ellipsis
Plus-Minus Symbol
Infinity (Undefined)
Square Root
Percent
Function of x
Factorial
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