Definition:Multiplication/Historical Note
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Historical Note on Multiplication
The symbol $\times$ for multiplication was invented by William Oughtred.
However, he was criticized by Leibniz, as it was in his view too similar to the letter $x$.
Leibniz himself preferred the symbol $\cdot$.
Sources
- 1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {A}.19$: Leibniz ($\text {1646}$ – $\text {1716}$)
- 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $4$: Lure of the Unknown: Algebraic symbolism