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Mathematical Symbols

Mathematical symbols are used to perform various operations. The symbols make it easier to refer Mathematical quantities. It is interesting to note that Mathematics is completely based on numbers and symbols. The math symbols not only refer to different quantities but also represent the relationship between two quantities. All  mathematical symbols are mainly used to perform mathematical operations under various concepts.

As we know, the full name of Maths is Mathematics. It is defined as the science of calculating, measuring, quantity, shape, and structure. It is based on logical thinking, numerical calculations, and the study of shapes. Algebra, trigonometry , geometry, and number theory are examples of mathematical dimensions, and the concept of Maths is purely dependent on numbers and symbols. 

There are many symbols used in Maths that have some predefined values. To simplify the expressions, we can use those kinds of values instead of those symbols. Some of the examples are the pi symbol ( π),  which holds the value 22/7 or 3.14. The pi symbol is a mathematical constant which is defined as the ratio of circumference of a circle to its diameter. In Mathematics, pi symbol is also referred to as Archimedes constant. Also,  e-symbol in Maths  which holds the value e= 2.718281828…. This symbol is known as e-constant or Euler’s constant. The table provided below has a list of all the common symbols in Maths with meaning and examples .

There are so many mathematical symbols that are very important to students. To understand this in an easier way, the list of mathematical symbols are noted here with definition and examples. There are numerous signs and symbols, ranging from the simple addition concept sign to the complex integration concept sign. Here, the list of mathematical symbols is provided in a tabular form, and those notations are categorized according to the concept. 

List of Mathematical Symbols

• Basic Math Symbols
• Logic Symbols
• Calculus and Analysis Symbols
• Combinatorics Symbols
• Greek Alphabets
• Common Numeral Symbols

Basic Mathematical Symbols With Name, Meaning and Examples

The basic mathematical symbols used in Maths help us to work with mathematical concepts in a theoretical manner. In simple words, without symbols, we cannot do maths. The mathematical signs and symbols are considered as representative of the value. The basic symbols in maths are used to express mathematical thoughts. The relationship between the sign and the value refers to the fundamental need of mathematics. With the help of symbols, certain concepts and ideas are clearly explained. Here is a list of commonly used mathematical symbols with names and meanings. Also, an example is provided to understand the usage of mathematical symbols.

Maths Logic symbols With Meaning

Calculus and analysis symbol names in maths.

In calculus, we have come across different math symbols. All mathematical symbols with names and meanings are provided here. Go through the all mathematical symbols used in calculus .

Combinatorics Symbols Used in Maths

The different Combinatorics symbols used in maths concern the study of the combination of finite discrete structures. Some of the most important combinatorics symbols used in maths are as follows:

Greek Alphabet Letters Used in Maths

Mathematicians frequently use Greek alphabets in their work to represent the variables, constants, functions and so on. Some of the commonly used Greek symbols name in Maths are listed below:

Common Numeral Symbols Used in Maths

The roman numerals are used in many applications and can be seen in our real-life activities. The common Roman numeral symbols used in Maths are as follows.

These are some of the most important and commonly used symbols in mathematics. It is important to get completely acquainted with all the maths symbols to be able to solve maths problems efficiently. It should be noted that without knowing maths symbols, it is extremely difficult to grasp certain concepts on a universal scale. Some of the key importance of maths symbols are summarized below.

Importance of Mathematical Symbols

• Helps in denoting quantities
• Establishes relationships between quantities
• Helps to identify the type of operation
• Makes reference easier
• Maths symbols are universal and break the language barrier

Frequently Asked Questions on Math Symbols

What is the pi symbol in maths.

The pi symbol is a mathematical constant, which is approximately equal to 3.14. The symbol of pi is π and it is a Greek alphabet. Pi is an irrational number which is defined as the ratio of circle circumference to its diameter.

What is e symbol in mathematics?

The “e” symbol in maths represents Euler’s number which is approximately equal to 2.71828…It is considered as one of the most important numbers in mathematics. It is an irrational number and it cannot be represented as a simple fraction

Write down the symbols for basic arithmetic operations.

The symbols for basic arithmetic operations are addition (+), subtraction (-), Multiplication (×), Division(÷).

Why do we use mathematical symbols?

Mathematics is a universal language and the basics of maths are the same everywhere in the universe. Mathematical symbols play a major role in this. The definition and the value of the symbols are constant. For example, the Roman letter X represents the value 10 everywhere around us.

Mention the logic symbols in maths.

The logic symbols in maths are: AND (^) OR (∨) NOT (¬) Implies (⇒) Equivalent (⇔) For all (∀) There exists (∃)

Keep visiting BYJU’S – The Learning App to get more such maths topics and concepts. Also, register at BYJU’S and download the app to access various video lessons and practice tests on different maths topics.

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Math Symbols

Math is all about numbers, symbols, and formulas. Math symbols are used for different purposes from one mathematical field to another. Using symbols to represent mathematical information makes it easier to understand expressions as these symbols show the relationship between quantities. In this article, let us look at the common ones that we use across different branches of mathematics.

Common Math Symbols

If we write the words "adding 4 to 2 gives 6" repeatedly, it might complicate things. These words also occupy more space and take time to write. Instead, we can save time and space by using symbols. The language and vocabulary of mathematics contain a large number of symbols and this list is endless — some being more technical than others. We have at least 10,000+ symbols and there are some that we rarely use. The most common symbols are listed in the following table:

Constants Used as Math Symbols

We use constants in mathematics to refer to non-varying objects. These constants can include key mathematical sets, key numbers, key mathematical infinities, and other key mathematical objects (such as the identity matrix). These mathematical constants most often take the form of an alphabet letter — or a derivative of it. The following table lists some of the most commonly-used constants, along with their name, meaning, and usage.

Math Symbols Used in Logic

The following table shows the math symbols used in logic.

Venn Diagram and Set Theory Symbols

The following table shows the math symbols used in venn diagrams and set theory.

Numeral Symbols

The numeral symbols with their examples and corresponding Hindu-Arabic numerals are listed here in the table.

Geometry and Algebra Symbols

The table given below shows the commonly used geometrical symbols. The mathematical symbols with names and examples are also listed in the table.

Algebra Symbols

The following table below shows the commonly used algebraic symbols. The mathematical symbols with names and examples are also listed in the table.

Greek Alphabets and Combinatorics Symbols

The table below shows the Greek alphabets that are used as mathematical symbols. Their names, usage, and examples are also listed in the table.

Combinatorics Symbols

The table below shows the combinatorics symbols that are commonly used.

Related Articles on Math Symbols

Check out the following pages related to math symbols.

• Algebraic expressions
• Divisibility rules

Important Notes

Here is a list of a few points that should be remembered while studying math symbols:

• Using symbols to represent information makes it easier to understand mathematical expressions.
• We have at least 10,000+ symbols and there are some that we rarely use.
• We use constants in mathematics to refer to non-varying objects.

Solved Examples

Example 1 . Which math symbol is used to denote the relationship between the two parallel lines AB and CD?

The relationship between the two parallel lines AB and CD can be denoted using the parallel symbol as AB || CD.

Example 2. Which math symbol is used to find the area of a circle and what is the approximate value of that symbol?

Solution: Pi (\(\pi\)) is the math symbol that is used to find the area of a circle using the formula \(\pi\) r 2 . The approximate value of \(\pi\) is 3.14159.

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Practice Questions on Math Symbols

Faqs on math symbols, what is u in math symbols.

The math symbol U is used to denote the set made by combining the elements of two sets . Hence, the union of two sets P and Q will be the set of elements in P and Q. The special symbol used to denote the set is ∪ that looks like "U".

How Many Mathematical Symbols are there?

There are more than 10000 math symbols. Some of the basic ones are =,+,−,≠,±, * and so on. There are complex symbols like \(\alpha\), \(\varepsilon\) and so on.

What is the Math Symbol Used for the Period Of a Wave?

The math symbol that is used for the period of a wave is λ. It is also known as wavelength which is measured in units of distance.

What are the Uses of the Addition Math Symbol?

The addition symbol (+) is usually used while adding two or more numbers, for example, 5 + 5. Apart from this, the (+) symbol can also be used to indicate a positive number, for example, +7.

List Some of the Common Arithmetic Math Symbols.

Some of the common arithmetic math symbols are: plus sign (+) used for addition, minus sign (-) used for subtraction , asterisk sign (*) or times sign ( × ) used for multiplication , and division sign (÷) or slash sign (/) used for division.

Home » Tech Tips » Shortcuts » Alt Code Shortcuts for Mathematical Symbols

Alt Code Shortcuts for Mathematical Symbols

There are large number of special symbols used in mathematical calculations. Frankly, you don’t need to be a mathematician to use these symbols. Normal users also need to insert some of the mathematical symbols in documents like the division sign ÷ . In this article, we will show how you can easily use the alt code shortcuts to insert mathematical symbols on your documents.

Unicode has a code point from 2200 to 22FF for mathematical operators. In addition, there are also many other mathematical symbols part of Unicode system like integrals , greater/less than , etc. You can use the decimal values of the Unicode points to use with the alt keys on Windows based documents. Below is the complete list of alt code shortcuts for mathematical symbols. Drop in a comment, if you see some important symbol is missing.

Also, learn how to type vulgar fractions with alt code shortcuts .

Insert Mathematical Symbols in Windows

There are multiple ways you can insert mathematical symbols in Windows 10/11.

Using Alt Code Shortcuts

On Windows based documents, hold one of the alt key on your keyboard and press the numbers in the first column of the above table. For example, alt + 177 will produce the plus or minus symbols like ± . This will work on all Windows based Microsoft documents like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. However, you need to have a keyboard with number pad for using alt code shortcuts.

Using Alt + X Method in Word

If you don’t have a keyboard with numeric keypad, then use the hexadecimal equivalent for the decimal numbers. You can type the hexadecimal numbers then press alt and x keys together. For example, 00F7 + alt + x will produce the division symbol like ÷ . However, this method will only work on Microsoft Word documents.

Using Windows 10/11 Emoji Keyboard

Microsoft introduced emoji keyboard in Windows 10 to quickly insert emoji symbols in your documents. Later, with version 1903 the keyboard has been updated to include kaomoji and special symbols. With Windows 11, you can simply select “Symbols” icon and then look under “Math Symbols” to insert them in few clicks. This includes fractions, enclosed numbers , roman numerals and all other math symbols.

• Press “Win +.” or “Win + ;” keys to open emoji keyboard.
• Click on the symbol and then on the infinity symbol.
• Look for relevant math symbol to insert on your document.

Using Symbol Utility

You can also use the Symbol utility in all Office documents like Word, Excel and PowerPoint to insert math symbols. When you are in the document, go to “Insert > Symbols” menu to open “Symbol” utility. Change the font to “Symbol” and look for mathematical symbol to insert on your document.

Using Character Map App

The last option is to use the independent Character Map app. You can search for Character Map in Windows Search and open the app. Change the font to “Symbol” and find the math symbols as shown in the below picture. Double click on the symbol to select and then click “Copy” button to copy to clipboard. You can insert the copied symbol anywhere on your documents.

Typing Mathematical Equations in Office Documents

You can use the above shortcut methods to insert few math symbols. However, when you want to insert a complex equations, you need to use the “Equation” option instead of using symbols. When you are in Office document, go to “Insert > Equation” menu. Choose the type of the equation and type accordingly.

In addition to typing equations, you can also select the math symbols from different categories like Basic Math, Greek Letters, Letter-Like Symbols, Operators, Arrows , Negated Relations, Scripts and Geometry.

Typing Mathematical Symbols in Mac

On Mac, you can use the hexadecimal code values with alt or option keys to type mathematical symbols. For example, option + 2A76 will produce the three equal symbols like ⩶ . You should change the keyboard input to Unicode Hex Input for using alt codes in Mac .

Using Character Viewer in Mac

The other easy way on Mac is to use the Character Viewer app. Press, “Control + Command + Spacebar” to open Character Viewer app. Go to Math Symbols section and insert the symbol you want. The biggest advantage of this method is that you can choose hundreds of variations for each math symbol.

Symbol Variations

The math symbols typed using the alt code shortcuts, Symbol utility and Character Map are like a text characters. You can change the size and format these symbols similar to any other text content on your documents. This is same for using option code shortcuts in Mac and Character Viewer app. Especially, you can choose many font variations of math symbols in Character Viewer app .

When you use equations, the symbols will behave like text boxes inside your document. You need to manually align the position and line height of the equations to match with other text content. Also, the equations will become unreadable or converted to images when you change the document formats. Therefore, avoid using equations for smaller needs and use superscript, subscripts and math symbols using other explained options.

Image for Reference for Mathematical Symbols

You can download the below image by right clicking and saving to your computer for offline reference.

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14 Comments

Leave your reply..

I am looking for the average arithmetic symbol in the alt code. It is an x with a macron on top. Please help. Peter

I need this in my math assignment in surface area and solid area thanks for the short cut keys………..:))))

You are welcome, nice to see it helped you.

I’m looking for an alt shortcut for the dot operator, to use instead of the multiplication symbol.

I am looking for GDT symbols like counter bore, countersink, etc.

I’m a design engineer and use a range of symbol short cuts frequently on drawing sheets, i.e, Ø, °, ±, ¼, ½ etc. It would be of great benefit if I had short cuts for for eighths & thirds.

I can find this…. ‘Shortcut key: 215B, Alt +X’, for 1/8, but I can’t find a way to make this work. Can anyone tell me how to use this info?

Cheers, Norm

Alt + X will work only on Microsoft Word in Windows. As explained, type the code and then press alt and x keys together.

You can checkout the linked article https://www.webnots.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-vulgar-fractions-in-windows-and-mac/ for typing vulgar fractions.

The alt code for capital delta, 916 gives ö. IS there an alt code for Δ or are we doomed to copy and paste forever?

Try using 4 digits like 0916, if that does not work you can setup custom keyboard shortcut if you are using Word.

If you occasionally use, then Windows comes with mathematical keyboard popup where you can lookup. Press Win Logo + Dot keys to open the symbol popup.

Your ALT code for the division symbol for windows is incorrect, it is actually ALT +246 not 247

Both shortcuts work for division symbol depending upon the machine/OS/app.

First, you need to understand that alt code shortcuts only works on the default Windows apps and on Mac you can use Character Viewer. If third party applications will use their own encoding then these shortcuts will not work.

Second, there is a solution with the Windows 10 version 1903 onwards. Microsoft updated the emoji keyboard to include math symbol as explained in this article. This is an easy way to look and insert if you known the symbol. However, there is no search function currently for symbols and hope Microsoft will include this soon.

What does it mean if these codes do not work form me? I am writing a math book in open office and almost none of these codes work. I use alt codes but open office does not show the alt codes for the symbols in the speacial charater map, it only shows “u + 2260” for “not equals”. Is there a way to convert “u + 0000” to “alt + 000”?

π is “alt + 227” but your list says “alt 960”. When I press “alt + 960” I get “└ “. The unicode code is “u + 03c0”. This is confusing and I can not find any accurate lists anywhere. I think I an going to have to manually make a list which cuts into my productivity and makes me hesitant to trust any lists online.

Check that OpenOffice uses UTF-8 character encoding and get their help if standard Unicode characters are not supported.

On soft note – you should not use word processors for equations. There are applications like LaTex for that or at least Equation editor in Microsoft Word will do.

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Online Equation Editor

Simple Three Steps

 1. CLICK

Press any button on your computer keyboard and on the MATH Keys keyboard to write out any formula, equations, or symbols.

 2. COPY

Press the copy button to copy everything written out.

Paste into app of your choice. MATH Keys works on any app that allows you to paste in a photo.

Google Docs

Google slides, microsoft word, description.

Math Keyboards is a free online equation editor that allows users to write mathematical equations, formulas, and symbols online! Our mission is to boost productivity in academic life whether that is for teachers, graduates, or students.

Type out anything you want with your regular keyboard, and press the buttons on our math keyboard to access mathematical symbols and operations. 

With the latex notation tools, you can copy whatever formula, equation, or symbol you just created anywhere you want.

You can use the math extension same as a math latex online editor or math equation online editor.​​

How to use:

Use your computer keyboard to type your equation. you can use numbers, letters, or any other symbol on your computer keyboard, use the extension math keyboard to click on symbols, such as integrals, sigma, fraction, etc.., use the arrows keys as follows:, right arrow: move the cursor forward. this is useful to get out of operation. for example, if you are inside square root, forward arrow will move the cursor out of it, left arrow: move the cursor back, up arrow: create exponent, down arrow: create subscript, use the buttons as follows:, copy button: copy the formula as image to the clipboard — paste it wherever you'd like, new button: delete the formula and start a new one, math keyboards includes:, finite and infinite integrals, derivatives, sigma symbol, combinatorics, inequalities, trigonometry, trigonometric functions, common greek symbols: pi, alpha, beta, theta, connect with us.

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• BookWidgets Teacher Blog

The best way for students to use math and science symbols in digital assignments

What is the best way for students to use math and science symbols in digital assignments? Use BookWidgets! There, shortest blog post ever written…

Just kidding. Read on to find out how you can use BookWidgets to let students answer questions using mathematical and science symbols in digital assignments, without being limited by the symbols on their keyboard.

If you’ve never heard of BookWidgets, let me quickly introduce you to it: BookWidgets allows you (teachers) to create digital, interactive exercises and automatically graded assignments; choose an activity template and adapt it with your own content.

The most popular interactive activities (or widgets) are quiz and worksheet widgets , which allow you to create digital (homework) assignments or tests with different types of questions in it. BookWidgets offers you 30+ different question types to choose from that are very visual and interactive as well.

One of these question types is the Equations question type , which allows your students to add math and science symbols in the worksheet or quiz. This question type is especially useful for STEM teachers.

The Equations question type in BookWidgets

So, how can you and your students use equations and formulas to digital assignments? Teachers use LaTeX to add various symbols and formulas, whereas students will get an “equations editor” (a pop-up with symbols) .

In the Equations question type, as in every other question type or widget (Pair matching, Flashcards, …), teachers can show mathematical and scientific formulas to students using LaTeX. This gives teachers the possibility to add more symbols than the ones they can see on their own keyboard. LaTeX uses simple commands that will display as a math or science symbol for your students. If you’re working in BookWidgets, you’ll see there’s a cheat sheet for these commands. There are many other websites that can help though, as LaTeX is a language that is used in many applications.

That being said, we’re still left with the problem that it is still difficult for students to write down symbols in their answers, as they typically don’t know LaTeX. This is where the Bookwidgets Equations question type comes in.

Pop-up with math and science symbols

When your students get an Equations question, they will get a pop-up with math and science symbols in it. This makes it easy for them to add formulas and symbols.

The students will get a text input field in which they can add both their calculations and the answer to the teacher’s question. The available symbol options will appear as a window pop-up as soon as the cursor is placed within the text input field.

The upper white-on-black arrows on the left side of the box allow students to select parts of the formula input in case selecting its elements with the mouse is difficult or impossible. The lower arrows move the cursor around within the formula they have typed.

Note : Only the symbols that you use in the correct answer answer will show up in this pop-up, unless you explicitly configured more symbols to show. You can define more symbols in the Formula Editor .

The Formula Editor

By default, only the symbols used in the correct answer are shown in the student’s pop-up. However, as a teacher, you have full control over which symbols you want your students to see in the pop-up.

If you want to show more symbols than the default, go to the “ General ” tab in your quiz or (split) worksheet, and click on “ Formula Editor ”. Here, you’ll see all kinds of math and science symbols.

The colors of these buttons determine which options your students will see when they want to fill in a formula in the blank field. You can click any of these buttons to change its color.

• A green button means that the formula or symbol will be visible and useable by your students.
• A red button means that the formula or symbol will not be visible and useable by your students.
• A blue button means that the formula or symbol will be visible and useable by your students if it is either required for the answer, or if other symbols in the group are required for the answer.

Depending on the exact exercise, the availability and especially absence of certain symbols can act as too much of a giveaway as to which symbols your students ought to use. So on one hand, you might not want to restrict the options too much. On the other hand, you do not want to overload them either, whether it be with symbols they don’t know (yet), or symbols they definitely won’t need for your exercise. Striking a balance between the two will produce the most suitable outcome for both the exercise and your students’ skill level.

Note : Students will only see symbols that are not on a standard keyboard. This means that they can still use the keyboard symbols when needed.

How to create an Equations question - video tutorial

To make it a bit easier for you, I created a comprehensive video tutorial in which I show you how to configure an Equations question type in BookWidgets. It will make sense without the video as well, but in this case, I can show you a few of its possibilities.

It’s a wrap!

I’m sure this new mathematical and scientific question type in BookWidgets will be of great help to both teachers and students. Don’t forget to share this post with fellow teachers, so they can instantly start using the Equations question type. Good luck with it, and above all, have fun!

Create a digital assignment with BookWidgets

Join hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and get the best content on technology in education.

BookWidgets enables teachers to create fun and interactive lessons for tablets, smartphones, and computers.

• Write an equation or formula Article
• Indent the first line of a paragraph Article
• Double-space the lines in a document Article
• Create a bibliography, citations, and references Article
• Insert footnotes and endnotes Article

Write an equation or formula

Select Insert > Equation or press Alt + =.

Select the equation you need.

See the ribbon for more Structures and Convert options.

To type an equation from scratch, press Alt += on your keyboard.

Insert > Equation > Insert New Equation .

Use your finger, stylus, or mouse to write your equation.

See the ribbon for more Structures and Convert options. 

Add an equation to the equation gallery

Select the equation you want to add.

Choose the down arrow and select Save as New Equation... .

Type a name for the equation in the Create New Building Block dialog.

Select Equations in the gallery list.

Choose OK .

To change or edit an equation that was previously written,

Select the equation to see Equation Tools in the ribbon.

Note:  If you don’t see the Equation Tools , the equation may have been created in an older version of Word. If so, see Change an equation that was written in a previous version of Word .

Choose Design to see tools for adding various elements to your equation. You can add or change the following elements to your equation.

The Structures group provides structures you can insert. Just choose a structure to insert it and then replace the placeholders, the small dotted-line boxes, with your own values.

The Professional option displays the equation in a professional format optimized for display. The Linear option displays the equation as source text, which can be used to make changes to the equation if needed. The linear option will display the equation in either UnicodeMath format, or LaTeX format, which can be set in the Conversions chunk. 

It is possible to convert all equations in a document to the Professional or Linear formats, or a single equation only, if the math zone is selected or the cursor is in the equation.  

On touch- and pen-enabled devices you can write equations using a stylus or your finger. To write equations with ink,

Choose Draw > Ink to Math Convert and then click Ink Equation at the bottom of the built in gallery.

Use a stylus or your finger to write a math equation by hand. If you're not using a touch device, use your mouse to write out the equation. You can select portions of the equation and edit them as you go, and use the preview box to make sure Word is correctly interpreting your handwriting.

When you're satisfied, click Insert to convert the ink equation to an equation in your document.

Linear format equations using UnicodeMath and LaTeX in Word

Where is Equation Editor?

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Deciphering 'Greater Than,' 'Less Than' and 'Equal To' Symbols

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Greater than, less than , equal to: These terms are mathematical expressions that allow the user to compare two numbers or equations. Once you've become familiar with these terms — and the symbols used to represent them — you'll be able to apply them to various math problems.

What Are Inequality Symbols?

Examples of inequalities, 3 ways to remember greater than and less than symbols, 3 more symbols in math inequalities, how to know when to use greater than or less than signs, greater than and less than symbols in algebraic equations.

The relevant symbols we'll be discussing are defined through negation. Unlike the classic, familiar equal sign (=), which denotes two values that are equal, an inequality symbol tells us that two numbers are not or may not be equal.

There are a few different inequality symbols, but we'll start with the two most common: greater than (>) and less than (<).

These are both about as straightforward as you can get. Greater than means that the number that precedes the symbol (>) is greater than the number that follows it. In the same way, the less than sign (<) means that the number before it is of smaller value than the number after it.

These mathematical expressions are ways to relate meaning without using words. Unlike some of the more advanced math symbols, they can be easily translated to standard English , as the below examples illustrate. Since we read from left to right, substituting the symbols for the words is simple.

When you do the arithmetic in that last example, you can see that 73 + 54 is 127, and 148 – 15 is 133. Thus, 127 < 133 (127 is less than 133).

While the concept is straightforward, if you're not used to the greater than and less than symbols, it can be tricky to recall which one means which. Fortunately, there are some simple, easy-to-remember tricks that can help identify which symbols fits in a given context.

1. The Alligator Method

This trick has a nice visual component. If you think of the greater than or less than symbols as the open mouth of an alligator, you can imagine that the alligator's mouth is going to be open towards the bigger number, as if it's about to eat the greater value. Take the following example:

Here, the alligator mouth is open wide towards the second number, clearly indicating that 83 is greater than 41.

2. The L Method

If you rotate the less than symbol slightly, you get a capital letter "L." This makes the translation into spoken English very easy, since it tells you how to read the inequality.

This example can be read as "15 is less than 33." If you look at the less than sign as a tilted or squashed L, you can see how the sentence ought to read. The second number is the greater number, and the first number is has the smaller value.

3. The Crescendo Method

This method is for the musically inclined. You may have noticed that the greater than and less than symbols resemble the decrescendo and crescendo symbols you'll find on sheet music.

In math, the symbol widens toward the larger value, just as the (de)crescendo symbols widen toward the louder volume.

This example can be read as "612 is less than 680." If you look at the less than sign as you would in music, you remember that the arrow in this direction means the volume will grow louder — or in this case, it will grow larger, towards the bigger number.

There are other symbols that can be used in these kinds of problems. Sometimes, what's called for isn't simply an equal sign, greater than or less than symbol.

1. Greater Than or Equal To: ≥

This sign is used between two numbers that are, as the name suggests, either equal, or where the first number is greater than the second.

Here, we don't know the exact value of y , but the inequality symbol tells us that it can be equal to 1 or any value greater than that.

2. Less Than or Equal To: ≤

On the flip side, this symbol is used between two numbers where the first number is less than or equal to the second.

Again, we don't know the exact value of x , but this sign tells us that it could any number equal to or less than 54.

3. Not Equal To: ≠

This symbol means "not equal to" and can be thought of as the opposite of an equal sign.

If you were to use a traditional equal sign, you'd need to show the same number on each side of the symbol, such as 72 = 72 , or 64 = 64 .

In most of the examples so far, it isn't hard to compare two numbers and decide which sign to use. Sometimes, however, greater than and less than aren't so obvious. Take the example of negative numbers . Is -50 greater than -35?

In this case, it can be helpful to look at, or even to imagine, a number line . In this case, the number of greater value will be the point on the number line that is closer to zero . Since -35 is closer to zero than -50, the inequality would read:

Sometimes, math inequalities will involve variables, such as in algebra. More than one step must be taken to solve the inequality, and you might not get a single value.

But if all that needs to be done is determine which side of the problem has a greater value, you can express the solution using the greater than and less than symbols.

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Table of Contents

Greek letters, superscripts / subscripts, charges & isotopes, reaction arrows, precipitate and gas.

• ​Assignment Workflow

Writing Formulas and Equations (LaTeX)

LaTeX can be used for math symbols in rubric items, comments, text annotations, answer group names, online assignment questions and responses, and regrade requests and responses. We do not support the single dollar  $ [LaTeX syntax] $ delimiter format because the single dollar sign used for currency is often misinterpreted as LaTeX and vice versa. We do support the following:

• Inline mode  - Put  $$  around your LaTeX markup, and Gradescope will render your math expressions inline with text.
• Display (Paragraph) mode  - Put  $$$  delimiters around your LaTeX markup. Your math expressions will appear larger and in a separate paragraph.

Note that, for the student-specific comment box, LaTeX does not currently render on the grading page. However, your students will be able to see the properly rendered notation when they view the comment. To double check that your LaTeX comment was rendered correctly, you can go to the Review Grades page and click on the student’s name to see their view of the submission.

Math Notation

Superscripts can be created using the caret symbol ^ . Subscripts are created using the underscore symbol _ . To be more explicit about what characters are in an exponent or subscript you can wrap them with curly brackets { } .

Operators that use subscripts or superscripts

Also checkout our markdown tables for an alternative way of displaying tabular data.

Chemical Formulae

Instructors who want to use chemistry equations can make use of the  \ce  command (from the  mhchem package ). This extension makes the notation more succinct. For example, you don’t need to use as many explicit exponents and subscripts.

If you find your equations not looking quite right you can always be more explicit by adding in specific indicators for sub/superscripts ( ^ / _ ) and specifying the sub/superscript arguments by using curly brackets ( { } ). You can see $$\ce{H2O}$$ renders fine in all the versions however $$\ce{ SO^{2-}_{4} }$$ needs more specificity to handle the negative charge:

To place text above or below the arrow, each arrow can take two optional arguments.

Depending on the context \ce{-} can be either a bond, a charge, or a hypen. You can use the bond command \bond followed by a number or a symbol to be more explicit.

Vertical arrows can be a bit tricky because you need a space between your characters and the arrow symbol for the arrows to render.

Have more questions about using $$\LaTeX$$ on Gradescope? Contact Us!

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Math Assessment Symbol Palette

Some math assessments require that you enter a symbol to answer the question correctly. You can use the symbol palette or keyboard shortcuts.

Symbol Palette

To use the symbol palette in a math assessment, click in the answer box.

Click the More button in the symbol palette to see more symbols and operators. Click the Less button in the expanded symbol palette to return to the simple symbol palette.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Important tips.

• Multiplication symbol : When you need to enter a multiplication symbol, do not use the letter “x” from the keyboard, a “bullet,” or small dot. While these entries may look correct, they will not be recognized as correct. Use the multiplication symbol on the symbol palette or type an * (asterisk) from your keyboard. (See acceptable keyboard entries in the table above.)
• Negative sign : When you need to enter a negative sign, do not use the _ (underscore). You may use the minus sign or hyphen from your keyboard.
• Parentheses : Don’t forget to enter parentheses in your answer where needed. The opening parentheses will display in red until you have entered the closing parentheses.

If you enter a space between a number and a symbol, however, the spaces will be ignored by the program:

• 2 + 3 (with spaces) will be scored the same as 2+3 (without spaces)
• 2 < 3 (with spaces) will be scored the same as 2<3 (without spaces)
• Do not copy and paste answers or symbols from other programs or locations on your computer. The symbol palette and the keyboard provide everything you need.
• Do not use letters (such as a lower case L or an upper case i) for the number one.
• You can use the tab key or the arrow keys on the palette or on the keyboard to move your cursor in the answer box.
• Use the un-do and re-do arrows to remove your entry and then put it back.
• Use the Clear All button at the bottom of the player window to delete everything you have entered in the answer box.

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Help Articles

Math assignments, learner help center dec 5, 2022 • knowledge, article details.

Before you submit your assignment, you'll be able to preview your answer to see what the grader will see.

You can use basic symbols for addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), and power/exponential (^).

You need to use (*) for multiplication every time. For example, 3x should be 3*x instead.

Function Syntax

Math assignments accept the following basic and advanced functions.

You can enter these math functions in the form of function(value). For example, the square root of 17 should be entered as sqrt(17). The cosine function of 5x should be entered as cos(5*x).

Basic numeric functions

• abs (absolute value)
• gcd (greatest common denominator; 2 arguments only, enter three or more arguments as gcd((a, b, c, d)) or gcd([a, b, c, d]) e.g. a list/tuple)
• lcm (least common multiple; 2 arguments only, enter three or more arguments as gcd((a, b, c, d)) or gcd([a, b, c, d]) e.g. a list/tuple)
• sign (returns -1 if negative, 0 if zero, 1 if positive)
• exp (exponent)
• ln (natural logarithm, base e)
• log (common logarithm, base 10)
• root (2-argument, where root(a, 2) is equivalent to sqrt(a))
• sqrt (square root)

Trigonometry

• Basic trigonometric functions: cos, cosh, cot, coth, sin, sinh, tan, tanh
• Trigonometric inverses: acos, acosh, acot, acoth, asin, asinh, atan, atan2 (2-argument arctangent), atanh
• deg (converts radians to degrees)
• rad (converts degrees to radians)

Complex numbers

• arg (returns phase in radians of a complex number)
• im (get imaginary part of a number)
• re (get real part of a number)

Other functions

• erf (error function)

Allowed constants

Math assignments recognize the following common constants:

• Catalan (Catalan's constant)
• E (note uppercase)
• EulerGamma (Euler-Mascheroni constant)
• GoldenRatio
• I (sqrt(-1) - note uppercase)
• J (sqrt(-1), same as I)
• oo (infinity)
• zoo (complex infinity)

Learners can also use the Equatio extension on Google Chrome to write equations more easily. Equatio allows you to hand-write or speak equations.

To use Equatio:

• Install the Equatio Chrome extension and turn it on in your browser. You may also want to pin the extension to your Chrome bar for easy access in the next step.
• Open the math assignment you 

• Using the Equatio toolbar, create your math expression by typing it, hand-writing it, or using speech-to-text. The math expression will be rendered in the course item.

For tips on getting started with Equatio or additional syntax help, we recommend visiting  Texthelp's official website  and  support articles .

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MATLAB Operators and Special Characters

This page contains a comprehensive listing of all MATLAB ® operators, symbols, and special characters.

Arithmetic Operators

Relational operators, logical operators, special characters, string and character formatting.

Some special characters can only be used in the text of a character vector or string. You can use these special characters to insert new lines or carriage returns, specify folder paths, and more.

Use the special characters in this table to specify a folder path using a character vector or string.

There are certain special characters that you cannot enter as ordinary text. Instead, you must use unique character sequences to represent them. Use the symbols in this table to format strings and character vectors on their own or in conjunction with formatting functions like compose , sprintf , and error . For more information, see Formatting Text .

Related Topics

• Array vs. Matrix Operations
• Array Comparison with Relational Operators
• Compatible Array Sizes for Basic Operations
• Operator Precedence
• Find Array Elements That Meet a Condition
• Greek Letters and Special Characters in Chart Text

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Run the command by entering it in the MATLAB Command Window. Web browsers do not support MATLAB commands.

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