In basic mathematics, many different symbols exist and are adopted widely. The following is a compilation of the most commonly-used symbols in arithmetic and common mathematics, along with other symbols whose usage covers multiple subfields of mathematics.

For readability purpose, these symbols are categorized by their function into tables. Other comprehensive lists of symbols — as categorized by subject and type — can be also found in the relevant pages below (or in the navigational panel).

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Mathematical Constants

In common mathematics, constants are often used to denote key natural numbers, integers, real numbers and complex numbers. The following table documents the most common of these — along with their name, usage and function.

Symbol Name Explanation Example $0$ (Zero) Additive identity of common numbers $5 + 0 = 0 + 5 = 0$ $1$ (One) Multiplicative identity of common numbers $6 \times 1 = 6$ $\sqrt{2}$ (Square root of $2$) Positive number whose square is $2$. Pythagoras’ constant. Approximately $1.414$. $\sqrt{2}$ is often considered to be the “simplest” irrational number. $e$ (Euler’s number) Base of natural logarithm. Limit of sequence $\left( 1+\frac{1}{n} \right)^n$. Approximately $2.718$. $\ln e = 1$ $\pi$ (Pi, Archimedes’ constant) Ratio of a circle’s circumference and diameter. Half-circumference of unit circle. $\pi$ is irrational and approximately $3.1416$. $\varphi$ (Phi, golden ratio) Ratio between two positive numbers $a > b$ such that $\frac{a+b}{a} = \frac{a}{b}$. Positive root of polynomial $x^2-x-1$. $\varphi = \dfrac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2} \approx 1.618$ $i$ (Imaginary unit) Principal square root of $-1$. Foundational component of complex numbers. $i^2 = (-i)^2 = -1$

Delimiters

Delimiters are symbols used to signal the separation between different independent mathematical entities. These include the common delimiters such as parentheses, brackets and braces, and the use of delimiters in the context of intervals.

Common Delimiters

Symbol Name Explanation Example $.$ Decimal separator $15.35 + 8.25 = 23.60$ $,$ Object separator $\{ 5, 0, 2 \}$ $:$ Ratio indicator $4 : 3 = 1024 : 768$ $(), [], \{ \}$ Order-of-operation indicators $\left[(2+3) + 4\right] + 5$ $( )$ Tuple-indicator $(4, 7, 11, 15)$

Intervals

Operators

Operators are placeholder symbols used to denote mathematical operations, which take one or multiple mathematical objects to another similar object. In common mathematics, these include the arithmetic operators, and other number-related unary operators.

Arithmetic Operators

Symbol Name Explanation Example $x + y$ Sum ($x$ plus $y$) $\dfrac{3}{5} + \dfrac{2}{3} = \dfrac{19}{15}$ $x-y$ Difference ($x$ minus $y$) $13-1.\overline{3} = 11.\overline{6}$ $-x$ Additive inverse (negative $x$) $(-1.5) + 1.5 =0$ $x \times y$, $x \cdot y$, $xy$ Product ($x$ times $y$) $2 \times (3 + 5) = \\ 6 + 10$ $x \div y$, $\, x / y$ Quotient ($x$ over $y$) $16 \div 2.5 = 6.4$ $\dfrac{x}{y}$ Fraction of $x$ over $y$ $\dfrac{3}{8}=0.375$ $x^y$ Power ($x$ raised to $y$) $3^{10} = 9^5$ $\pm$ Plus-and-minus operator With the quadratic formula, we have that $x = \dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}$. $\mp$ Minus-and-plus operator $5 \pm (-3) = 5 \mp 3$

Number-related Unary Operators

Symbol Name Explanation Example $\sqrt{x}$ Principal square root of $x$ $\sqrt{30}= \\ \sqrt{2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5}$ $\sqrt[n]{x}$ nth root of $x$ $\sqrt[3]{125}=5$ $|x|$ Absolute value of $x$ $|-5| = |5| = 5$ $x \%$ $x$ percent $5 \% \doteq \dfrac{5}{100}$

Relational Symbols

In mathematics, relational symbols are used to denote mathematical relations, which take one or multiple mathematical objects to form full mathematical sentences. In arithmetic and common mathematics, these include the relational symbols related to equality and comparison.

Equality-based Relational Symbols

Symbol Name Explanation Example $x \doteq y$, $x \overset{df}{=} y$,

$x := y$ $x$ is defined as $y$ $\mathbb{R}_+ \doteq \\ \{ x \in \mathbb{R} \mid x > 0 \}$ $x = y$ $x$ is equal to $y$ $ \pi = \dfrac{C}{d}$ $x

e y$ $x$ is not equal to $y$ $\sqrt{3}

e 1.7$ $x \approx y$ $x$ is approximately equal to $y$ $\dfrac{5}{7} \approx 0.714$ $f(x) \propto g(x)$ Function $f$ is directly proportional to function $g$ $\dfrac{\pi}{2} x^2 \propto 3x^2$

Comparison-based Relational Symbols

Symbol Name Explanation Example $x < y$ $x$ is less than $y$ $2 < e$ $x > y$ $x$ is greater than $y$ $\dfrac{13}{4} > 3$ $x \le y$ $x$ is less than or equal to $y$ $1 \le n^2$ $x \ge y$ $x$ is greater than or equal to $y$ $n! \ge 2^n$ for $n \ge 4$

Notational Symbols

Notational symbols are often conventions and shorthands which don’t fall into the categories of constants, delimiters, operators and relational symbols. The following table documents some of these in the context of common mathematics — along with their usage and meaning.

For the master list of symbols, see mathematical symbols. For lists of symbols categorized by type and subject, refer to the relevant pages below for more.

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Additional Resources