Math symbols are highly important in expressing patterns, logic, and structure in mathematics. These special characters are a way to simplify the representation of complex concepts. They make it easy to solve problems across different fields. With the help of math symbols, we can denote numbers, constants, functions, operations, and logical connections without lengthy explanations. Moreover, mathematics is also based upon the systematic application of numbers & symbols, where each symbol has a specific meaning.

In this guide we will explain math symbols in detail along with their applications and solved problems. We’ll look at the names of math symbols, what they mean, and how to use them, with lots of examples. You’ll also see how math symbols show up in daily life. Let’s learn together and make math more interesting.

Table of Contents

What Are Math Symbols?
Maths Basic Symbols
Maths Basic Symbols Chart
Math Symbols Meaning with Examples
Solved Examples
Real-Life Examples of Math Symbols
Fun Facts to Remember
Conclusion
FAQs on Math Symbol

What Are Math Symbols?

A math symbol is a sign or character that represents operations, relationships, or numerical values. Each symbol is like a small key that helps unlock bigger ideas.

Importance of Math Symbols

Instead of the usage of long, complex sentences, you break them into brief, clear parts that reveal how numbers work together to solve problems efficiently and convey complex ideas.

Common Examples:
Below are some common math symbols essential in mastering various algebric operations:

Symbol	Name	Meaning
+	Plus	Adds numbers together
−	Minus	Subtracts one number from another
×	Multiply	Finds product (group-wise addition)
÷	Divide	Splits numbers into equal parts
=	Equals	Shows that both sides are the same
≠	Not Equal	Shows inequality
>	Greater Than	Indicates the left value is larger
<	Less Than	Indicates the right value is larger
%	Percent	Shows parts per hundred
√	Square Root	Finds a value whose square is the number

These are the golden ten symbols every student should recognise.

Math Symbols Meaning with Examples

1. PLUS SIGN + (Addition)

Means “add this to that.”

Example: 5 + 8 = 13 → five additional eight to get thirteen.

2. Minus − (Subtraction)

Means "subtract one value from another"

Example:

14 − 5 = 9 → Subtracting five from fourteen gives nine.
12 − 7 = 5→ Twelve minus seven leaves five.

3. Multiply (×)

This means “take groups of.”

Example: 4 × 6 = 24 → four groups of six equals twenty-four.

4. Divide (÷)

Means “split into equal parts.”

Example: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 → eighteen divided equally among three gives six.

5. Equals (=)

Means “is the same as.”

Example: 11 + 2 = 13 → left and right both are thirteen.

6. Not Equal (≠)

Means “they are different.”

Example: 7 ≠ 5 → Seven is not equal to five.

7. Greater Than (>)

Greater Than means: It shows that the number on the left is bigger.

Example: 12 > 8 → Twelve is greater than eight.

8. Less Than (<)

Means shows that the number on the right is bigger.

Example: 4 < 9 → four is less than nine.

9. Percent (%)

Means “out of 100.”

Example: 30% of 200 = 60 → thirty per hundred of two hundred equals sixty.

10. Square Root (√)

This means “Which number squared gives this?”

Example: √81 = 9 → nine squared is eighty-one.

Maths Basic Symbols Chart

Symbol	Symbol Name in Maths	Math Symbols Meaning	Example
≠	not equal sign	inequality	10 ≠ 6
=	equal sign	equality	3 = 1 + 2
<	strict inequality	less than	7 < 10
>	strict inequality	greater than	6 > 2
≤	inequality	less than or equal to	x ≤ y → y = x or y > x
≥	inequality	greater than or equal to	a ≥ b → a = b or a > b
[ ]	brackets	calculate inside first	[2 × 5] + 7 = 17
( )	parentheses	calculate inside first	3 × (3 + 7) = 30
−	minus sign	subtraction	5 − 2 = 3
+	plus sign	addition	4 + 5 = 9
∓	minus–plus	both minus and plus	1 ∓ 4 = −3 and 5
±	plus–minus	both plus and minus	5 ± 3 = 8 and 2
×	times sign	multiplication	4 × 3 = 12
*	asterisk	multiplication	2 * 3 = 6
÷	division sign / obelus	division	15 ÷ 5 = 3
∙	multiplication dot	multiplication	2 ∙ 3 = 6
–	horizontal line	fraction / division	8/2 = 4
/	division slash	division	6 ⁄ 2 = 3
mod	modulo	remainder calculation	7 mod 3 = 1
aᵇ	power	exponent	2⁴ = 16
.	period	decimal point	4.36 = 4 + (36/100)
√a	square root	number multiplied by itself = a	√9 = ±3
a^b	caret	exponent	2 ^ 3 = 8
⁴√a	fourth root	root taken 4 times	⁴√16 = ±2
³√a	cube root	root taken 3 times	³√343 = 7
%	percent	per hundred	10% × 30 = 3
ⁿ√a	n-th root	root taken n times	³√8 = 2

Solved Examples

Example 1:

Question: Your phone plan gives you 5 GB a month; you used 3.2 GB so far. How much remains?

Answer : Remaining = 5 GB − 3.2 GB = 1.8 GB

Symbols: -, =

Example 2:

Question: The general wide variety of pencils amounts to 7 packets, each containing 12 pencils. How many pencils are there altogether?

Answer : Total = 7 × 12 = 84 pencils

Symbols: ×, =

Example 3:

Question: The afternoon reading assignment consists of 30 pages while the remaining 210 pages need completion in the e-book. In how many days?

Answer : Days wanted = 210 ÷ 30 = 7 days

Symbols: ÷, =

Example 4:

Question: You received 45 marks for a total of 50 marks. What percentage did you get?

Answer : Percentage scored = (45 ÷ 50) × 100 = 90%

Symbols: ÷, ×, =, %

Example 5:

Question: What number squared equals 121?

Answer : √121 = 11 → that number is 11

Symbols: √, =

Real-Life Examples of Math Symbols

Shopping

You buy an item for ₹1,200, the sale is 15% off.

Discount = 15% × 1,200 = ₹180

You pay = 1,200 − 180 = ₹1,020

Symbols: %, ×, −, =

Cooking

A cake recipe uses 2 eggs for one cake. You want to make three cakes.

Eggs needed = 2 × 3 = 6

Symbols: ×, =

Fuel Efficiency

You travel 360 km using 30 L of petrol. What’s the fuel efficiency?

Efficiency = 360 ÷ 30 = 12 km/L

Symbols: ÷, =

Finance

Your savings earn 8% interest yearly.

Interest on ₹5,000 = 0.08 × 5,000 = ₹400

Symbols: %, ×, =

Scores

Your team scored 72 points and your rival scored 68.

72 > 68, so your team wins.

Symbols: >, =

Fun Facts to Remember

The equals sign (=) was invented by Robert Recorde in 1557 to symbolise balance.
Plus (+) and minus (−) signs have been in use since the 1400s.
From the Latin phrase "per centum," per cent means essentially for each hundred.
In Europe, the square root sign first appeared sometime around the 1500s.
The infinity symbol came into existence in 1655, thanks to John Wallis.
The division sign itself goes back only to the 17th century.

Conclusion

Math symbols are the language and tools of math. They’re simple, universal, and truly powerful. By exploring their names, meanings, uses, and appearances. You can get the understanding to solve problems with confidence. It will also help you to build a foundation that supports everything from algebra to physics. Keep practising daily and read/write something around you that has +, −, or ×, or notice % in real life. Turn learning into a habit, and soon these symbols will seem as natural as letters in a sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions on Math Symbols

1. What does √ it mean in math?

Answer: The symbol in mathematics means square root, which represents the number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number under the root sign. For example, √9 = 3 because 3 × 3 = 9.

2. What does ⊆ mean?

Answer: ⊆ way "is a subset of" (e.g., A ⊆ B approach all elements of A are also in B).

3. What does ³√3 mean?

Answer: ³√3 means cube root of 3 which when multiplied to itself is equal to 3. It is an irrational number, which is approximately 1.44225.

4. What is this symbol ∑?

Answer: '∑' The summation symbol is used to represent the sum of a series of numbers.

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Math Symbols: A Complete Learning Guide for Students

Introduction