What is Symbol: Definition and 377 Discussions

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas, or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon is a common symbol for "STOP"; on maps, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion. Numerals are symbols for numbers; letters of an alphabet may be symbols for certain phonemes; and personal names are symbols representing individuals. The variable 'x', in a mathematical equation, may symbolize the position of a particle in space.
The academic study of symbols is semiotics. In cartography, an organized collection of symbols forms a legend for a map.

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  1. L

    LaTeX How do I get LaTeX to put the infinity on top of the SUM symboL

    I need to make a power series in LaTex that looks like this u = \Sigma^{\infty}_{k=0} a_kx^k But I wan the infinity on top of the sum and the k=0 on the bottom like normal setting out but I can't find out how to do it? Hopefully someone from here can show me! Thanks
  2. L

    What is the symbol used for exponentiation in different programming languages?

    Example: Acceleration= distance / time ^ 2
  3. C

    Levi-Civita symbol and Summation

    Okay, this is a derivation from Relativistic Quantum Mechanics but the question is purely mathematical in nature. I presume all you guys are familiar with the Levi-Civita symbol. Well I'll just start the derivation. So we are asked to prove that: [S^2, S_j] =0 Where...
  4. B

    How Do Term Symbols Apply to Magnesium's Ground State Configuration?

    Sodium, = 11, has the ground state configuration [Ne] 3s^1 and is a “one electron” atom. Magnesium, Z= 12, is a “two-electron” atom. Write down its ground state configuration and possible term values. i think i get the right answer but I am having a couple of issues: my answer: ground...
  5. B

    How can i express this Infinite series without a summation symbol?

    (1/2) + (2/4) + ... + (n/(2^n)) = sum i=1 to i=infinity of (i/(2^i))?i know how to express the sum of just 1/(2^i), but not the above thanks for the help!
  6. Y

    Mathematica What is the mathematical relationship between Christoffel symbol and

    What is the mathematical relationship between Christoffel symbol and connection A in Ashtekar variables? Youngsub
  7. R

    Calculators Symbol in TI-89 output; Looks like @; what does it mean?

    http://sudokupuzzles.net/SCREEN.gif Regarding a=@16... and in particular the symbol that looks like @ , what does @ mean? Thanks in advance; this has been bugging me for a long time.
  8. F

    What does alpha symbol mean?

    What does this symbol mean?? Hey y'all, There is a symbol in a physics handout I have that I don't know what the symbol means. It looks like an infinity symbol, but open on one end. The equation in which it appears is part of Hooke's law and the equation is F=-x (Substitute the formula...
  9. M

    What elements can be represented by the letter R in organic chemical structures?

    Organic element symbol "R" I keep hearing different things about what exactly the letter R represents in organic chemical structures. Does the R always represent an alkyl group or can it represent groups with heteroatoms? For example...
  10. U

    Mathematica Meaning of a mathematical symbol?

    Ok first a warning, this may be completely bogus as it was a symbol (or actually a notation) that I didn't recognize in a blackboard full of equations from a stupid "teen" movie. It may have been completely meaningless. I was visiting a friend today and her daughter was playing a DVD of some...
  11. R

    Help deriving Lagrange's Formula with the levi-civita symbol

    Ok, so I'm really at a loss as to how to do this. I can prove the formula by just using determinants, but I don't really know how to do manipulations with the levi-civita symbol. Here's what I have so far: (\vec{B} \times \vec{C})_{i} = \epsilon_{ijk}(B_{j}C_{k})\vec{e_{i}} And I'm...
  12. R

    Help with Normalizing Wave Function Symbol (x) = -Ae^(σx^2/x^2)

    hello I am just starting some revition for my exams and havr come across this wave funchion and i don't no how to normerlise it i really need some help with this. it is the wave function symbol (x) = -Ae^(σx^2/x^2) what i need to know is how to intergrate it to find a value for A to see if...
  13. N

    Is there a mathematical symbol for expressing one function in terms of another?

    math symbol for "in terms of" If there was a simple trig problem like express cos(x) / tan(x) in terms of sin(x). I can't seem to find the mathematical symbol for doing "in terms of". I'm learning on my own, and don't yet have my calculus book, so I'm just reviewing sample problems, but they...
  14. J

    Symbol Î in Number Theory: Prove & Math Symbol Index

    What does the symbol Î mean in number theory? As in... Prove if r,s Î Z, then 4r + 6s is even... Also, where can I find a website with a comprehensive math symbol index?
  15. F

    What is the meaning of the symbol that looks like \ni in mathematics?

    My prof writes this symbol that looks (sort of) like this \ni for "such that" I just write the words "such that" in my notes... But what is this symbol? I just choose the latex that looked most like what's on the board... is it the right one?
  16. D

    What does the i^ and the j^ symbol mean?

    [SOLVED] Quick question.. What does the i^ and the j^ symbol mean? A particle moves from A to D in the figure while experiencing force http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4294/renderet0.gif . View Figure How much work does the force do if the particle follows path (a) ABD,(b) ACD, and (c) AD...
  17. A

    What's the meaning of this symbol?

    Dear All: What's the meaning of a equal sign with a triangle over it please? Thanks in advance
  18. M

    Understanding the Op Amp Minus Sign Symbol

    What does it mean when an op amp has only a minus sign in its symbol? Is the positive terminal at ground, or is it at some arbitrary voltage?
  19. T

    LaTeX Does anyone know the symbol for a vertical subset symbol Latex help

    Does anyone know the symbol for a vertical subset symbol?? i.e the equivalent of \subseteq but which points up (i also need one which points down)?? Thank for the help
  20. R

    What does this arrow symbol mean?

    i am doing truth tables in a comp sci course and unsure as to what <--> and --> mean for example p-->q boook says p implies q p<-->q boook says biconditional of two statements truth table sshown is as folllowes p w p-->q p<-->q 0 0 1 1 0 1 1...
  21. A

    Exploring the Mysterious Symbol e

    e=(1/n+1)^n,as n->00, though I have used this symbol for so many times, but I still can not understand the true meaning of it. Why does it has such strange characteristic---d(e^x)/dx=e^x, and e^x=1+x,as x->0, and why is it able to be used everywhere? who can explan this symbol to me?
  22. A

    Mathematica What is the mathematical symbol for integers?

    The mathematical symbol for real numbers is R, with another vertical line coming down on the left side of the R. What is the mathematical symbol for integers? can anyone draw it?
  23. C

    Proof using Levi-Civita symbol

    Homework Statement Prove \sum_{j,k} \epsilon_{ijk} \epsilon_{ljk} = 2\delta_{il} Homework Equations \epsilon_{ijk} \epsilon_{ljk} = \delta_{il}(\delta_{jj}\delta_{kk} - \delta_{jk}\delta_{kj}) + \delta_{ij}(\delta_{jk}\delta_{kl} - \delta_{jl}\delta_{kk}) + \delta_{ik}(\delta_{jl}\delta_{kk} -...
  24. qspeechc

    What is the Symbolic Meaning of the Two Vertical Lines in Grid Diagrams?

    http://www.geocities.com/frooha/grid/img6.png What do the two vertical lines (between the one and the R prime) mean? I am pretty sure we haven't covered it yet. Thanks. BTW it's from here: http://www.geocities.com/frooha/grid/node1.html
  25. E

    Mystery Symbol: What Does a Big Inverted V Mean?

    what does a big inverted V stand for? it's not "and" because it's used right in front of a literal (atomic formula) not sure if it's a quantifier... This is a paper discussing approach based on deontic logic that I am scanning through, but this sign i cannot figure out how to search online...
  26. N

    Symbol Meaning: \vdots Susceptibility Electric Field

    What symbol is this?? What does this mean " \vdots " I don't what its called so I couldn't google it...Its to do with Susceptibility and Electric Field.
  27. A

    When Should You Use the Delta Symbol in Equations?

    Okay, so how do you know when to put a delta symbol in front of a variable? For example, U=\frac{3}{2}nRT however, it can also be written as \Delta U=\frac{3}{2}nR\Delta T --Change in Internal energy of a system I'm pretty sure that this isn't the case for many equations such as: \Delta...
  28. P

    Binary Jacobi Symbol Algorithm: Add, Subtract & Shift

    Jacobi Symbol - Binary NOTE: if its past 8:30 AM Eastern Time, don't worry about it. thanks for the consideration The Question: Exercise 13.1. Develop a “binary” Jacobi symbol algorithm, that is, one that uses only addition, subtractions, and “shift” operations, analogous to the binary...
  29. A

    What does the symbol d mean?

    What does the symbol "d" mean?? I've seen the symbol "d" many times and in a physics lecture. For example: the professor would write: I = \frac {dq}{dt} instead of: I = \frac {Q}{t} I think I've also seen it in calculus equations such as derivatives and such. I'm only in Pre-calculus so I...
  30. F

    Angle Symbol T: Meaning & Degrees | FAQ

    What does the symbol T mean when referring to angles? How does this relate to degrees? I.e. A boy exerts a force of 200 at an angle of 023T.
  31. I

    What is the new radiation warning symbol and what does it mean?

    The IAEA and ISO have introduced a new radiation warning symbol meant to be used on high activity Category 1, 2 and 3 radiation sources (which includes RTGs, irradiators, teletherapy, industrial radiography and well logging sources). From the IAEA press release: Most people will probably...
  32. tandoorichicken

    Does anybody know what the si symbol 'sc' stands for?

    Of all the evil things that I could be stuck on, its not even bad arithmetic this time around. No, I have been stumped by units. Does anybody know what the si symbol 'sc' stands for? Is that even a symbol?
  33. A

    The Meaning of R in hR10 for Pearson Symbol

    what does the R in hR10 mean for the pearson symbol?
  34. C

    Correct use of is proportional to symbol (alpha)

    Correct use of "is proportional to" symbol (alpha) Hello, I am facing a problem that can be solved quite easily using the proportional symbol ( I think ), so I would like to try to use it! Only problem is.. I don't know exactly how to use it correctly... The question is :An astronaut weighs...
  35. B

    Symbol ¥ Meaning - What Does It Mean?

    What does the folowing symbol mean: ¥ and it sometimes has an equals sign through the bottom
  36. B

    Solving an Isotope Cation Symbol Problem

    Can somebody please help me with this problem? i Would really appreciate it.:smile: One isotope of a metallic element has mass number 59 and 31 neutrons in the nucleus. The cation derived from the isotope has 26 electrons. Write the symbol for this cation.
  37. A

    MOSFET Symbol: Meaning of Arrow?

    What does the arrow in the symbol of the MOSFET indicate? I skipped the lecture when we were told this :smile: and I can't figure out myself. I mean if it were after me, I would have put that arrow to indicate the direction of the electric field, but the arrow actually points the oposite way. So...
  38. R

    A Clarification on the Summation symbol

    Hi guys, I know this may sound so "newbieish", but I really need some clarification. While resaerching over the net I came across a proof on a derivation of the Matrix p-norms. While reading, I stumbled upon this part of the proof: \| Ax \|_1 \leq \sum^n_{i=1} \left| \sum^n_{k=1}...
  39. B

    What's the symbol for standard enthelpy change?

    I have a couple of things I need help on: 1. How do I calculate the standard enthalpy change for a reaction? example: 2SO_2 (g) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 2 SO_3(g) What information do I need to calculate standard enthalpy change? What's the symbol for standard enthalpy change? Thanks...
  40. I

    Circuit diagram symbol for an electromagnet

    Is there a circuit diagram symbol for an electromagnet? Am I correct in thinking that it is a line with a coil going round it? I have looked all over the web, and cannot find confirmation of this. Thanks, Iceman123
  41. S

    Solid State Relay Circuit Symbol?

    What is the symbol for a solid state relay? I've been using mechanical relay representations in my documentation and just writting next to it "solid state." I don't like doing this, because it implies that the relay is an inductive load, which it isn't... My thought is that it should...
  42. R

    Can I Find the Error Symbol in Microsoft Word for Writing Equations?

    Im going crazy, i just want to write equations in microsoft word, but none include the damn Error symbol which looks like a rounded E :/ I want to use like E with a small i next to it but i cannot. Any ideas :( I am going nuts :<
  43. D

    Linear & Vector Algebra: Kronecker delta & Levi-Civita symbol

    Hello all. Happy to have finally found this forum, sorry that it took so long! I'm working through a Vector Algebra tutorial and I am having much difficulty with the concepts of Kronecker deltas and the Levi-Civita symbol. I can't fully grasp either of them intiutively. From what I've been...
  44. tony873004

    What is the Symbol for "Section"?

    I have no idea which forum this question should go in, so feel free to move it, mods. But I am looking at an astronomy paper containing this symbol, so I'll ask here. What is that symbol that is used to mean "section"? For example: "The relative light curves of XN Mus 1991 were derived...
  45. S

    What do symbols in equations mean?

    I got some questions on symbols I've seen in formulas and equations. What does the greek letter E mean? I see it with letters underneth it sometimes, what do they do? There's a symbol that's a foward slash, it has letters on each end sometimes and it's most of the time in front of the = sign
  46. L

    What Does the Derivative Notation in Calculus Represent?

    In Calculus what's that big symbol that's before a function stand for. I kinda looks like a big long f. And then there's that qoutation mark looking thing. It appears beside the F in a function. It kinda looks like this...F'...what's it mean?
  47. H

    Creating an X-Vector Symbol in TeX

    Hmm... I'm writing a paper and trying to figure out how to make an x-vector symbol.. as in: \beq ds^2=d(\overrightarrow{x})^2+dt^2 \eeq Except with a smaller arrow over the x, as would be seen in a real paper.
  48. F

    Uncovering the Math Exercise Behind exp in P(f) Equation | Helpful Tips

    I was given an equation: P(f)=(sqrt(2/(Pi*N)))*(exp(-(nf^2)/2)) What math exercise is exp referring to? Thanks a lot for any help.
  49. Y

    News Masonic Symbol found in Temple Mount artifact

    Here's one for the conspiracy theorists:
  50. F

    Maxwell's Equations: Symbols & Understanding

    I was curious about the famous Maxwell's equations, and decided, perhaps foolishly, to learn them myself. I know basic Electricity and Magnetics with Calculus, so I figured it was the next logical step. I understood the integral forms of Maxwell's equations, but I got completely lost when I...
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