#MEANINGS OF CALCULUS SYMBOLS PLUS#

The expression ∠ABC is used to describe the angle at point B (between points A and C). The angle symbol ∠ is used as shorthand in geometry (the study of shapes) for describing an angle. See our page: Systems of Measurement for more information. On the Fahrenheit scale water freezes at 32☏ and boils at 212☏. Degrees Celsius or Centigrade are used in most of the world (with the exception of the USA). A circle is 360° and a right angle is 90°. As a measure of rotation - the angle between the sides of a shape or the rotation of a circle.It is used commonly in algebraic functions, and you may also notice it in Excel - the AutoSum button has a sigma as its icon.ĭegrees ° are used in several different ways. The answer is said to be ‘plus or minus’ another number, or in other words, within a range around the given answer.įor example, 5 ± 2 could in practice be any number from 3 to 7. It is used to indicate, for example, confidence intervals around a number. ≪ ≫ These symbols are less common and mean much less than, or much greater than. ≤ ≥ These symbols mean ‘less than or equal to’ and ‘greater than or equal to’ and are commonly used in algebra. This symbol means greater than, for example 4 > 2.

The two sides of a relationship indicated by this symbol will not be accurate enough to manipulate mathematically. ≈ means approximately equal to, or almost equal to.This is similar to, but not exactly the same as, equals. In computer applications (like Excel) the symbols mean not equal. You may also come across other related symbols, although these are less common: It is most commonly used to show the result of a calculation, for example 2 + 2 = 4, or in equations, such as 2 + 3 = 10 − 5. The = equals symbol is used to show that the values on either side of it are the same. is used in spreadsheets and other computer applications. ÷ is used commonly in handwritten calculations and on calculators, for example, 2 ÷ 2. These symbols are both used to mean division in mathematics. For example, if you see a number written outside brackets with no operator (symbol or sign), then it should be multiplied by the contents of the brackets: 2(3+2) is the same as 2×(3+2). Less commonly, multiplication may also be symbolised by a dot. The symbol * is used in spreadsheets and other computer applications to indicate a multiplication, although * does have other more complex meanings in mathematics. These symbols have the same meaning commonly × is used to mean multiplication when handwritten or used on a calculator 2 × 2, for example. The − symbol is also commonly used to show a minus or negative number, such as −2.− is used when one or more numbers are to be subtracted, for example, 2 − 2.This symbol has two main uses in mathematics:

#MEANINGS OF CALCULUS SYMBOLS PLUS#

Our page on Positive and Negative Numbers explains that a number without a sign is considered to be positive, so the plus is not usually necessary.

The + symbol can also be used to indicate a positive number although this is less common, for example, +2. The addition symbol + is usually used to indicate that two or more numbers should be added together, for example, 2 + 2. This page complements our numeracy skills pages and provides a quick glossary of common mathematical symbols and terminology with concise definitions.Īre we missing something? Get it touch to let us know.Ĭommon Mathematical Symbols + Addition, Plus, Positive Mathematical symbols and terminology can be confusing and can be a barrier to learning and understanding basic numeracy.

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Meanings of calculus symbols