Source: https://developers.google.com/style/mathematical-notation ↗\n\n# Mathematical notation

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  Save and categorize content based on your preferences.\n\n- Home\n- Products\n- Style\n\nThis page describes how to format common mathematical notation such as

exponents, expressions, equations, operators, and variables in documentation. Formatting best practices can help ensure that your documentation is compatible with assistive technologies and renders accurately.\n\nFor general information about using and formatting numbers, see Numbers.\n\nNote: This page includes examples of formatting in HTML and Markdown in standard text. If you’re using a third-party tool to display complex math, follow that tool’s formatting guidance to ensure that your mathematical markup displays correct.\n\n\n## Use HTML entities for mathematical symbols\n\nIn general, use HTML entities for mathematical symbols instead of keyboard symbols. The following table lists entities for symbols that are common in arithmetic and algebra. For the plus sign (+), equals sign (=), and division sign (/), you can use their keyboard equivalents.\n\n\nSymbol | Markup | Description\n+ | Use the keyboard symbol. | Plus sign\n− | − | Minus sign\n× | × | Multiplication sign Alternatively, you can use the dot operator ∙ (∙) or asterisk operator * (*) to match the UI. Don’t use an asterisk () to indicate multiplication in text. You can indicate multiplication by omitting the multiplication symbol if doing so doesn’t create ambiguity—for example, instead of a × b, you can write ab.\n/ | Use the keyboard symbol. | Division sign\n= | Use the keyboard symbol. | Equals sign\n≠ | ≠ | Not equal to\n± | ± | Plus-minus sign\n∓ | ∓ | Minus-plus sign\n< | < | Less than sign\n> | > | Greater than sign\n≈ | ≈ | Approximately equal to\n≉ | ≉ | Not approximately equal to\n≅ | ≅ | Congruent to\n≤ | ≤ | Less than or equal to\n≥ | ≥ | Greater than or equal to\n≡ | ≡ | Identical to\n≢ | ≢ | Not identical to\n√ | √ | Square root\n∑ | ∑ | N-ary summation\n\nMultiplication sign\n\nAlternatively, you can use the dot operator ∙ (∙) or asterisk operator * (*) to match the UI. Don’t use an asterisk () to indicate multiplication in text.\n\nYou can indicate multiplication by omitting the multiplication symbol if doing so doesn’t create ambiguity—for example, instead of a × b, you can write ab.\n\n\n## Format mathematical notation\n\nThe following sections provide formatting for common math-related notation.\n\n\n### Operators\n\nTo ensure accessibility and accurate HTML syntax, use HTML entities instead of keyboard symbols for operators. For example, use − instead of a hyphen (-).\n\nInclude a non-breaking space ( ) on both sides of operators within a single expression, equation, or statement.\n\nDon’t italicize operators.\n\nRecommended: a − b\n\nTo render a − b, use the following markup:\n\n- HTML: a − b\n- Markdown: a − b\n\n\n### Variables\n\nItalicize variables.\n\nRecommended: x ≠ y\n\nRecommended: xy\n\nRecommended: yi\n\nTo render x ≠ y, use the following markup:\n\n- HTML: x ≠ y\n- Markdown: x ≠ y\n\n\n### Expressions and equations\n\nInclude short expressions and equations inline with your text.\n\nInclude a non-breaking space ( ) between components such as operators and variables so that the expression or equation renders on the same line.\n\nWhen an expression or equation creates an awkward line break, consider placing it on its own line.\n\nRecommended: The equation that describes a linear trend line is y = a + bx.\n\nRecommended: The equation that describes a polynomial trend line, where the order is o, is the following: y = a + b × x + … + k × xo\n\nTo render y = a + bx, use the following markup:\n\n- HTML: y &= a + bx\n- Markdown: y &= a + bx\n\n\n### Fractions\n\nExpress fractions as decimal numbers, when possible. If you must express fractions as words, connect the numerator and denominator with a hyphen unless one of them is already hyphenated.\n\nExpress fractions as decimal numbers, when possible.\n\nIf you must express fractions as words, connect the numerator and denominator with a hyphen unless one of them is already hyphenated.\n\nRecommended: 0.02\n\nRecommended: one and one-half\n\nRecommended: three-sevenths\n\nRecommended: three seventy-fourths\n\n\n### Exponents and subscripts\n\nUse standard mathematical notation. Don’t put a space between the base and the exponent.\n\nTo render exponents, use the HTML tag. Don’t use the keyboard caret symbol (^) to indicate an exponent.\n\nTo render subscripts, use the HTML tag.\n\nRecommended: 23\n\nRecommended: xy\n\nRecommended: yi\n\nNot recommended: 2^3\n\nTo render 23, use the following markup in HTML and Markdown: 23\n\n\n## Notation as words\n\nIn general, you can use mathematical notation in place of words in running text. For example, in a sentence, you might use the statement x ≠ y instead of writing “x is not equal to y.” If the use of notation instead of words creates ambiguous, grammatically incorrect, or difficult-to-read text, then use words to convey the mathematical concept.\n\nRecommended: Check whether a > b.\n\nRecommended: The area is calculated by multiplying the length by the width.\n\nNot recommended: Check whether a is greater than b.\n\nNot recommended: The area is calculated by multiplying l × w.\n\n\n## Provide visuals for math concepts\n\nAccompany math concepts and numerals with diagrams or other images to support comprehension. For example, if comparing statistics, consider illustrating percentages in a pie chart or a bar graph.\n\n\n## More resources\n\n- Numbers\n- Units of measure\n- Text-formatting summary\n