Math symbols are used to represent numbers, operations, relationships, and mathematical ideas. Some of the most common math symbols in English include + (plus), − (minus), × (times), ÷ (divided by), = (equals), < (less than), and > (greater than).
Learning the names of these symbols is especially useful for English learners. It helps you read equations aloud, understand math lessons in English, and talk about numbers and calculations correctly.
For example, 5 + 3 = 8 is read as “five plus three equals eight,” while 10 ÷ 2 = 5 is read as “ten divided by two equals five.”
In this guide, you will learn the most common math symbols in English, including their names, meanings, and examples. We will cover basic arithmetic symbols, comparison symbols, algebraic symbols, geometry symbols, and other important mathematical notation.
Table of Contents
Common Math Symbols in English
The following table lists some of the most common math symbols in English, along with their names, meanings, and examples of how they are read aloud.
| Symbol | Name in English | Meaning / Use | Example | How to Read It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | Plus sign | Addition | 5 + 3 = 8 | Five plus three equals eight |
| − | Minus sign | Subtraction | 9 − 4 = 5 | Nine minus four equals five |
| × | Multiplication sign | Multiplication | 4 × 3 = 12 | Four times three equals twelve |
| ÷ | Division sign | Division | 12 ÷ 4 = 3 | Twelve divided by four equals three |
| = | Equals sign | Shows equality | 2 + 3 = 5 | Two plus three equals five |
| ≠ | Not equal to | Shows two values are not equal | 4 ≠ 5 | Four is not equal to five |
| < | Less than | Compares two values | 3 < 7 | Three is less than seven |
| > | Greater than | Compares two values | 8 > 5 | Eight is greater than five |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to | Shows a maximum value or equality | x ≤ 10 | x is less than or equal to ten |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to | Shows a minimum value or equality | x ≥ 5 | x is greater than or equal to five |
| % | Percent sign | Represents a value out of 100 | 25% | Twenty-five percent |
| √ | Square root | Represents a square root | √16 = 4 | The square root of sixteen equals four |
| ^ | Caret | Often represents an exponent in plain text | 2^3 = 8 | Two to the power of three equals eight |
| ± | Plus-minus sign | Indicates both positive and negative possibilities | ±5 | Plus or minus five |
| ≈ | Approximately equal to | Shows an approximate value | π ≈ 3.14 | Pi is approximately equal to three point one four |
| ∞ | Infinity | Represents something without a finite limit | ∞ | Infinity |
| π | Pi | Ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter | π ≈ 3.14 | Pi is approximately three point one four |
| ! | Factorial | Product of positive integers down to 1 | 5! = 120 | Five factorial equals one hundred twenty |
| ∑ | Summation | Represents the sum of several terms | ∑x | The sum of x / summation of x |
| ∫ | Integral | Represents integration in calculus | ∫ f(x) dx | The integral of f of x with respect to x |
These symbols appear frequently in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and other areas of mathematics. Some symbols can be read in different ways depending on the mathematical context, but the expressions above show their most common English readings.
Basic Math Symbols in English
Basic arithmetic uses a small group of symbols for operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Knowing both the names of these math symbols and how to read them aloud is important when discussing calculations in English.
Plus Sign (+)
The plus sign (+) represents addition. It shows that two or more numbers should be added together.
Example:
5 + 3 = 8
Read as: “Five plus three equals eight.”
The word plus is the standard way to read the + symbol in a mathematical expression.
Minus Sign (−)
The minus sign (−) represents subtraction. It shows that one number is being taken away from another.
Example:
10 − 4 = 6
Read as: “Ten minus four equals six.”
The minus sign can also indicate a negative number. For example, −5 is read as “negative five.”
Multiplication Sign (×)
The multiplication sign (×) represents multiplication.
Example:
4 × 3 = 12
Read as: “Four times three equals twelve.”
You may also hear “four multiplied by three equals twelve.”
In typed mathematics, multiplication may also be represented by an asterisk (*) or a centered dot (·), depending on the context.
Division Sign (÷)
The division sign (÷) represents division.
Example:
12 ÷ 3 = 4
Read as: “Twelve divided by three equals four.”
A slash (/) is also commonly used for division, particularly when typing calculations. For example, 12 / 3 can be read as “twelve divided by three.”
Equals Sign (=)
The equals sign (=) shows that the expressions or values on both sides have the same value.
Example:
6 + 4 = 10
Read as: “Six plus four equals ten.”
You may also hear “is equal to” in more formal mathematical language. For example, x = 5 can be read as “x equals five” or “x is equal to five.”
Not Equal To (≠)
The not equal to symbol (≠) shows that two values are different.
Example:
5 ≠ 7
Read as: “Five is not equal to seven.”
It is the opposite of the equals sign (=).
Percent Sign (%)
The percent sign (%) means “per hundred” or “out of one hundred.” It is commonly used with percentages, discounts, statistics, and financial calculations.
Example:
25%
Read as: “Twenty-five percent.”
For example, if an item has a 20% discount, you would say “a twenty percent discount.”
Comparison and Inequality Symbols in English
Comparison and inequality symbols are used to compare numbers, quantities, and mathematical expressions. The most common symbols are <, >, ≤, ≥, =, and ≠.
Understanding how to read these symbols in English is particularly important because < and > can be confusing for beginners.
Less Than (<)
The less than symbol (<) shows that the value on the left is smaller than the value on the right.
Example:
3 < 8
Read as: “Three is less than eight.”
Another example is:
10 < 15
Read as: “Ten is less than fifteen.”
Greater Than (>)
The greater than symbol (>) shows that the value on the left is larger than the value on the right.
Example:
9 > 4
Read as: “Nine is greater than four.”
For example:
20 > 12
Read as: “Twenty is greater than twelve.”
Less Than or Equal To (≤)
The less than or equal to symbol (≤) means that a value can be smaller than another value or exactly equal to it.
Example:
x ≤ 10
Read as: “x is less than or equal to ten.”
This means that x can be 10 or any value smaller than 10.
Greater Than or Equal To (≥)
The greater than or equal to symbol (≥) means that a value can be greater than another value or exactly equal to it.
Example:
x ≥ 5
Read as: “x is greater than or equal to five.”
This means that x can be 5 or any value greater than 5.
Equal To (=) and Not Equal To (≠)
The equals sign (=) shows that two values are equal, while the not equal to symbol (≠) shows that they have different values.
Examples:
4 + 2 = 6
Read as: “Four plus two equals six.”
4 ≠ 6
Read as: “Four is not equal to six.”
How to Remember < and >
A simple way to distinguish the two symbols is to look at the open side of the sign. The wider, open side faces the larger number, while the pointed side faces the smaller number.
For example:
3 < 7
The open side faces 7 because 7 is the larger number.
9 > 4
The open side faces 9 because 9 is the larger number.
Algebraic Symbols in English
Algebra uses letters and symbols to represent unknown values, relationships, and mathematical operations. Learning how to read these algebraic symbols in English can make equations much easier to understand and discuss.
Variables (x, y, z)
A variable is usually a letter that represents an unknown or changeable value. Common variables include x, y, a, b, and n.
Example:
x + 5 = 10
Read as: “x plus five equals ten.”
In this equation, x is the unknown value. Solving the equation shows that x = 5.
Exponents and Powers
An exponent tells us how many times a number, called the base, is multiplied by itself.
For example:
2³ = 8
This can be read as “two cubed equals eight” or “two to the power of three equals eight.”
Another example is:
5² = 25
This is commonly read as “five squared equals twenty-five.”
When superscript formatting is unavailable, exponents are sometimes typed using the caret (^):
2^3
This is understood to mean 2³.
It is important to note that ^ is a caret used as a substitute in plain text or some computing contexts; the actual mathematical exponent is normally written as a superscript.
Square Root (√)
The square root symbol (√) represents a number that, when multiplied by itself, produces the original number.
Example:
√16 = 4
Read as: “The square root of sixteen equals four.”
Another example is:
√25 = 5
Read as: “The square root of twenty-five equals five.”
Plus or Minus (±)
The plus-minus symbol (±) indicates that a value may be either positive or negative, or that both addition and subtraction cases are being considered.
Example:
x = ±5
Read as: “x equals plus or minus five.”
This means that x can be 5 or −5.
Parentheses ( )
Parentheses ( ) are used to group numbers or expressions. Operations inside parentheses are generally performed before operations outside them, according to the standard order of operations.
Example:
(2 + 3) × 4 = 20
Read as: “Open parenthesis, two plus three, close parenthesis, times four equals twenty.”
In ordinary mathematical discussion, you may simply describe the expression as “the quantity two plus three, times four.”
Brackets [ ]
Square brackets [ ], often simply called brackets, can also be used to group parts of mathematical expressions. They are especially useful when an expression already contains parentheses.
Example:
[2 × (3 + 4)] = 14
The parentheses show that 3 + 4 should be calculated first.
Absolute Value | |
The absolute value symbols | | represent a number’s distance from zero, regardless of whether the number is positive or negative.
Example:
|−5| = 5
Read as: “The absolute value of negative five equals five.”
Similarly:
|5| = 5
The absolute value of both 5 and −5 is 5.
Other Important Mathematical Symbols and Notations
In addition to basic arithmetic and algebraic symbols, mathematics uses many other symbols to express values, relationships, and mathematical concepts. Some are common in everyday mathematics, while others appear mainly in geometry, statistics, and calculus.
Approximately Equal To (≈)
The approximately equal to symbol (≈) shows that two values are close to each other but not exactly equal.
Example:
π ≈ 3.14
Read as: “Pi is approximately equal to three point one four.”
This symbol is useful when a number has been rounded or estimated.
Pi (π)
Pi (π) is a mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
Its value begins:
π = 3.14159…
In basic calculations, it is often approximated as 3.14.
Example:
π ≈ 3.14
Read as: “Pi is approximately equal to three point one four.”
Pi is commonly used in formulas involving circles. For example:
C = 2πr
This formula is used to calculate the circumference of a circle, where r represents the radius.
Infinity (∞)
The infinity symbol (∞) represents the idea of something having no finite bound or limit.
Symbol: ∞
Name: Infinity
For example, the sequence of natural numbers continues indefinitely:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …
We can say that the sequence continues to infinity.
Infinity should not simply be treated as an ordinary number. It represents the concept of being unlimited or unbounded.
Plus-Minus (±)
The plus-minus symbol (±) means that both a positive and a negative value, or both addition and subtraction cases, may be considered.
Example:
x = ±3
Read as: “x equals plus or minus three.”
This indicates two possibilities:
x = 3
x = −3
Proportional To (∝)
The proportional to symbol (∝) shows that two quantities have a proportional relationship.
Example:
y ∝ x
Read as: “y is proportional to x.”
This symbol is commonly encountered in mathematics, physics, and science.
Delta (Δ)
The Greek capital letter delta (Δ) is often used in mathematics and science to represent a change or difference in a quantity.
Example:
Δx
Read as: “delta x.”
For example, Δx may represent the change in x between two values.
The exact meaning of Δ depends on the mathematical or scientific context.
Summation (∑)
The summation symbol (∑) represents the addition of a sequence of terms.
It is the Greek capital letter sigma and is commonly used when many values need to be added together.
For example:
∑x
may be read as “the sum of x” or described as the summation of x values, depending on the expression.
A more complete summation may include upper and lower limits that specify which terms should be added.
Integral (∫)
The integral symbol (∫) is primarily used in calculus. It represents integration, which can be used to calculate quantities such as accumulated change or the area under a curve.
Example:
∫ f(x) dx
A common way to read this expression is:
“The integral of f of x with respect to x.”
A definite integral may also have lower and upper limits:
∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx
This can be read as:
“The integral from a to b of f of x with respect to x.”
Factorial (!)
The factorial symbol (!) represents the product of a positive integer and all the positive integers below it.
Example:
5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120
Read as: “Five factorial equals one hundred twenty.”
Another example is:
3! = 3 × 2 × 1 = 6
Read as: “Three factorial equals six.”
Therefore (∴)
The therefore symbol (∴) consists of three dots arranged in a triangle. It is used in some mathematical and logical writing to introduce a conclusion.
Example:
x = 2
y = x + 3
∴ y = 5
The symbol ∴ is read as “therefore.”
Because (∵)
The because symbol (∵) is the reverse arrangement of the therefore symbol. It can be used to introduce a reason or justification.
Symbol: ∵
Read as: “because.”
Although ∴ and ∵ are useful to recognize, they are less common in everyday mathematics than symbols such as +, −, =, <, and >.
Geometry Symbols in English
Geometry uses special symbols to describe angles, lines, shapes, and relationships between geometric objects. Here are some common geometry symbols in English and how to read them.
| Symbol | Name | Meaning | Example / Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| ∠ | Angle | Represents an angle | ∠ABC — “angle ABC” |
| ° | Degree | Measures angles | 90° — “ninety degrees” |
| ⊥ | Perpendicular | Two lines meet at a right angle | AB ⊥ CD — “AB is perpendicular to CD” |
| ∥ | Parallel | Lines remain the same distance apart | AB ∥ CD — “AB is parallel to CD” |
| △ | Triangle | Represents a triangle | △ABC — “triangle ABC” |
| ≅ | Congruent to | Same shape and size | △ABC ≅ △DEF — “triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF” |
| ∼ | Similar to | Same shape but not necessarily the same size | △ABC ∼ △DEF — “triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF” |
Angle Symbol (∠)
The angle symbol (∠) is used to represent an angle.
Example:
∠ABC
Read as: “Angle ABC.”
When an angle is named with three letters, the middle letter identifies the vertex. In ∠ABC, B is the vertex.
Degree Symbol (°)
The degree symbol (°) is commonly used to measure angles.
Example:
90°
Read as: “Ninety degrees.”
A right angle measures 90°, while a straight angle measures 180°.
The degree symbol is also used with temperatures, but its meaning depends on the context.
Perpendicular Symbol (⊥)
The perpendicular symbol (⊥) shows that two lines meet at a right angle.
Example:
AB ⊥ CD
Read as: “AB is perpendicular to CD.”
Perpendicular lines meet at an angle of 90 degrees.
Parallel Symbol (∥)
The parallel symbol (∥) shows that two lines are parallel.
Example:
AB ∥ CD
Read as: “AB is parallel to CD.”
Parallel lines in the same plane do not meet, even when extended.
Triangle Symbol (△)
The triangle symbol (△) can be placed before three letters naming the vertices of a triangle.
Example:
△ABC
Read as: “Triangle ABC.”
Congruent To (≅)
The congruent to symbol (≅) is commonly used in geometry to show that two figures have the same shape and size.
Example:
△ABC ≅ △DEF
Read as: “Triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF.”
Similar To (∼)
The similar to symbol (∼) shows that two geometric figures have the same shape, although their sizes may be different.
Example:
△ABC ∼ △DEF
Read as: “Triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF.”
Practical Applications
Education
Understanding math symbols is crucial for solving problems in mathematics and related subjects. Students use these symbols in homework, exams, and classwork to perform calculations and express mathematical ideas clearly.
Science and Engineering
Math symbols are integral to formulas and calculations in science and engineering. For instance, exponents and integrals are commonly used in physics equations to describe phenomena and solve complex problems.
Everyday Life
Basic math symbols are used in various aspects of daily life, from financial calculations to cooking measurements. For example, calculating discounts during shopping or measuring ingredients for a recipe involves the use of arithmetic symbols.
Conclusion
In conclusion, math symbols are the building blocks of mathematical language. Understanding these symbols is essential for anyone looking to improve their math skills or work in fields that require mathematical knowledge. By familiarizing yourself with these basic and important math symbols, you can enhance your problem-solving abilities and navigate the world of mathematics with confidence.
For further reading, consider exploring additional resources that delve into more advanced math symbols and concepts, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of this universal language.