Math Symbol Review

Symbol

Meaning

Example

=

equals

10 = 10

+

plus (addition)

2 + 5 = 7

-

minus (subtraction)

5 - 2 = 3

±

plus and minus

4 ± 2 = 4 + 2 and 4 - 2

*

times (multiplication)

3 * 2 = 6

( )( )

times

(3)(2) = 6

/

divided by (division)

6 / 3 = 2

<

less than

4 < 5

>

greater than

6 > 3

£

less than or equal to

3 £ 6

>

greater than or equal to

4 > 3

 

             
       ___
      /

square root 

  
      ___
     / 9   =   3

( )2

square (multiply # by itself)

( 3)2 = 9

. . .

continuing the pattern

1, 2, 3, . . . , 7

translates as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Order of Operations

Proceeding from left to right, arithmetic operations are ordered as follows:

1. Anything in parentheses.
2. Squares, square roots and absolute values.
3. Multiplication and division.
4. Addition and subtraction.

Example 1:

3*(4+5) = 3 *(9) = 27

Example 2:

3*4+5 = 12 + 5 = 17