Math symbols table

math symbols table

1. BASIC MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS
(Symbols save time and space when writing)

Here are the most common mathematical symbols:
Symbol Meaning Example
+ add 3+7 = 10
− subtract 5−2 = 3
× multiply 4×3 = 12
÷ / divide 20÷5 = 20/5= 4
( ) grouping symbols – parenthesis (round bracket) 2(a−3)
[ ] grouping symbols – brace (square bracket) 2[ a−3(b+c) ]
{ } set symbols – bracket (curly bracket) {1,2,3}
π pi A = πr
2

∞ infinity or indeterminate ∞ is endless
= equals 1+1 = 2
 approximately equal to π 3.14
≠ not equal to π ≠ 2
< ≤ less than, less than or equal to 2 < 3
> ≥ greater than, greater than or equal to 5 > 1

square root (“radical sign”) √4 = 2
√
3
cube root
√
??????
nth root

implies (if ... then) a and b are odda+b is even
° degrees 20°
 summation of ∑??????
??????
??????
??????=1= x1+x2+..+xn
 product of ∏??????
1
??????
??????= (x1)(x2)...(xn)
! factorial 4! = 4×3×2×1 = 24

"if and only if" or iff or "is equivalent to" x = y+1 y = x −1

therefore a=b b=a
❑ QED what has to be proven has already been proven

 for any, for all x,  y  N
 there exist x,  y  N
~ similar to ABC ~ XYZ
 null set N = 
 element of x  N
| or s.t. such that {x | x  N}

2. Basic Symbols Used in Geometry

Here are the most common geometrical symbols:
Symbol Meaning Example In Words

Triangle
ABC has 3 equal
sides
Triangle ABC has three equal sides

Angle ABC is 45° The angle formed by ABC is 45 degrees.

Perpendicular ABCD The line AB is perpendicular to line CD

Parallel EFGH The line EF is parallel to line GH

Degrees 360° 360 degrees (a full rotation!)

Right Angle (90°) is 90° A right angle is 90 degrees

Line Segment "AB" AB The line segment between A and B

Line "AB"
The infinite line that includes A and B

Ray "AB"

The line that starts at A, goes through B and
continues on

Congruent (same shape and
size)
ABC DEF Triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF

Similar (same shape, different
size)
DEF MNO Triangle DEF is similar to triangle MNO

Therefore a=b b=a a equals b, therefore b equals a
Example: In ABC, BAC is Is really saying: "In triangle ABC, the angle BAC is a right angle"

Naming Angles: For angles the central letter is where the angle is.

Example: ABC is 45°. The point "B" is where the angle is.