Symbols:Arithmetic and Algebra/Multiplication (Algebra)
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Multiplication in Algebra
- $\cdot$
$x \cdot y$ means $x$ times $y$, or $x$ multiplied by $y$.
A binary operation on two variables.
Usually used when variables are involved (as opposed to numbers) to avoid confusion with the use of $\times$ which could be confused with the symbol $x$ when used as a variable.
It is preferred that the symbol $\cdot$ is not used in arithmetic between numbers, as it can be confused with the decimal point.
Its $\LaTeX$ code is \cdot .
Also see
See:
for other uses of this symbol.
Historical Note
The symbol $\cdot$ was the preferred notation of Leibniz, who criticised William Oughtred's invention of $\times$ for being too similar to the letter $x$.
Leibniz's preference $\cdot$ is now widespread.
Sources
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): dot
- 2021: Richard Earl and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Appendix $19$: Symbols and abbreviations: Real and Complex Numbers