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A few Math symbols

Here you can find a nice table of mathematical symbols.



  1. Basic Operations
Symbol Name Description
+ Plus Addition
- Minus Subtraction
* Multiplication Multiplication
/ Division Division
= Equals Equal to
≠ Not equals Not equal to
< Less than Less than
> Greater than Greater than
≤ Less than or equal Less than or equal to
≥ Greater or equal Greater than or equal to
√ Square root Square root of a number
^ Exponent Indicates exponentiation (e.g., 2^3 means 2 cubed)


  1. Greek Alphabet
Greek Letter Uppercase Lowercase Meaning/Usage
Alpha Α α Often used to represent the first or initial value in a sequence or set. It is also used in various contexts, such as angles and constants.
Beta Β β Often used to represent the second value or coefficient in a sequence, set, or equation. It is commonly used in statistics and regression analysis.
Gamma Γ γ Frequently used in mathematics and physics. It has various applications, such as representing a parameter, a constant, or a gamma function.
Delta Δ δ Often used to denote a change or difference. It is also used to represent a small increment in a variable or a variation in a quantity.
Epsilon Ε ε Commonly used to represent a small positive number, typically associated with limits and convergence in calculus.
Zeta Ζ ζ Primarily used to represent a variable in equations or to denote a complex number.
Eta Η η Frequently used to represent the efficiency or an unknown variable in equations and mathematical models.
Theta Θ θ Often used to represent angles in geometry and trigonometry. It is also used to represent unknown variables or parameters in equations and models.
Iota Ι ι Primarily used as a variable or an index in mathematics, especially in sequences, series, and summations.
Kappa Κ κ Commonly used as a variable in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It has various applications, such as representing a constant or a wave number.
Lambda Λ λ Frequently used in mathematics and physics. It represents eigenvalues, wavelengths, decay constants, and parameters in various contexts.
Mu Μ μ Often used to represent the mean or average in statistics. It is also used as a variable or coefficient in various mathematical equations.
Nu Ν ν Primarily used as a variable or a parameter in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
Xi Ξ ξ Commonly used in mathematics and statistics. It represents a variable, a set, or a distribution in various contexts.
Omicron Ο ο Occasionally used as a variable, but it does not have specific mathematical meaning or usage in most cases.
Pi Π π Frequently used to represent the mathematical constant pi, which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter (approximately 3.14159).
Rho Ρ ρ Primarily used to represent a density, a correlation coefficient, or a resistivity in physics and engineering.
Sigma Σ σ Uppercase sigma (Σ) is used to denote summation, while lowercase sigma (σ) is used to represent the standard deviation in statistics.
Tau Τ τ Often used to represent time constants, torque, or a parameter in physics and engineering.
Upsilon Υ υ Frequently used to represent a variable or a parameter in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
Phi Φ φ Often used to represent the golden ratio or a variable in equations and models. It is also used in trigonometry and complex numbers.
Chi Χ χ Commonly used as a variable or a parameter in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
Psi Ψ ψ Frequently used in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It represents wave functions, angles, or a variable in various contexts.
Omega Ω ω Often used to represent the last or final value in a sequence or set. It is also used to denote angular velocity or a limit in calculus.


  1. Set Theory
Symbol Name Description
∈ Element of Used to specify that an element is in a set
∉ Not an element of Used to specify that an element is not in a set
⊆ Subset of A set whose elements are all members of another set
⊂ Proper subset of A subset that is not equal to the original set
⊇ Superset of A set containing all elements of another set
⊃ Proper superset of A superset that is not equal to the original set
∅ Empty set A set with no elements
{ } Set brackets Used to denote a set
∩ Intersection Common elements between two sets
∪ Union All elements that are in either of two sets
∖ Set difference Elements that are in one set but not another
P(A) Power set The set of all subsets of a set


  1. Calculus
Symbol Name Description
∫ Integral Represents the integral of a function over an interval
∂ Partial derivative Represents the partial derivative of a function
∇ Del or Nabla A vector operator used in vector calculus
∞ Infinity A number greater than any assignable quantity or count
dx Differential Represents a small change in the variable x
d/dx Derivative The derivative of a function with respect to x
∑ Summation The sum of a series of terms
∆x Delta x Represents a small change or difference in the variable x
lim Limit The value a function approaches as the input approaches a value


  1. Geometry
Symbol Name Description
∠ Angle Used to represent an angle
≅ Congruent Identical in form
∥ Parallel Two lines in a plane that do not meet
⊥ Perpendicular Intersection at a right angle
π Pi The ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter
° Degree A unit of measurement of angles
’ Minute 1/60 of a degree
’’ Second 1/60 of a minute
r Radius The distance from the center to the edge of a circle
d Diameter The distance across a circle through its center
a,b,c Sides of a triangle Often used to represent the sides of a triangle
h Height The “height” of a figure


  1. Algebra
Symbol Name Description
x, y, z Variables Often used to represent unknown quantities
a, b, c Constants Often used to represent known quantities
f(x) Function of x A function in terms of x
≡ Equivalent to Identical or equal to
≈ Approximately equal Roughly equal to
∝ Proportional to Changes with the change of another quantity
x² Square A number multiplied by itself
x³ Cube A number multiplied by itself twice
√x Square root A number which when squared gives x
x! Factorial The product of an integer and all the integers below it
x^n Power X raised to the power of n
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