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Glossary of mathematical symbols. A mathematical symbol is a figure or a combination of figures that is used to represent a mathematical object, an action on mathematical objects, a relation between mathematical objects, or for structuring the other symbols that occur in a formula. As formulas are entirely constituted with symbols of various ...
The list below has some of the most common symbols in mathematics. However, these symbols can have other meanings in different contexts other than math. If x=y, x and y represent the same value or thing. If x≈y, x and y are almost equal. If x≠y, x and y do not represent the same value or thing. If x<y, x is less than y.
SymbolNameRead AsMeaning=Equalis equal toIf x=y, x and y represent the same value ...≡Definitionis defined asIf x≡y, x is defined as another name of ...≈Approximately equalis approximately equal toIf x≈y, x and y are almost equal.≠Inequationdoes not equal, is not equal toIf x≠y, x and y do not represent the same ...5 > 4 5 is greater than 4. <. strict inequality. less than. 4 < 5 4 is less than 5. ≥. inequality. greater than or equal to. 5 ≥ 4, x ≥ y means x is greater than or equal to y.
Jargon often appears in lectures, and sometimes in print, as informal shorthand for rigorous arguments or precise ideas. Much of this uses common English words, but with a specific non-obvious meaning when used in a mathematical sense. Some phrases, like "in general", appear below in more than one section.
May 2, 2024 · Algebra: The branch of mathematics that substitutes letters for numbers to solve for unknown values. Algorithm: A procedure or set of steps used to solve a mathematical computation. Angle: Two rays sharing the same endpoint (called the angle vertex). Angle Bisector: The line dividing an angle into two equal angles.
- Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
T he language and vocabulary of mathematics contain a large amount of symbols — some being more technical than others. Like letters in the alphabet, they can be used to form words, phrases and sentences that would constitute a larger part of the mathematical lexicon. \[ \begin{gather*}x \longrightarrow x+1 \longrightarrow (x+1)^2 \longrightarrow (x+1)^2 \ge 0 \\ \longrightarrow \forall x \in ...
What could ' mean in an algebraic formula? The context is that the formula is for calculating temperature at an interface between materials and the three symbol combination is: theta ' n The formula gets used at the interface between consecutive material layers and so I'm assuming it ' means something like 'at the layer in question' but I'm trying to get a more precise definition.
