Times Dot Symbol: What It Means and How It's Used in Math
Learn what the times dot symbol means in math, how it differs from the cross symbol, and where it appears in arithmetic, linear algebra, and LaTeX typesetting.
The dot operator symbol ⋅ is used to denote multiplication in general arithmetic, and as the dot product operator in linear algebra.
I’m going to write about the times dot symbol. This is a very basic math topic, but it’s worth covering because it comes up all the time, and many people get confused about what it means.
In general arithmetic, the dot operator symbol ⋅ is used to represent multiplication. So for example:
3⋅5
means “three multiplied by five.” The dot operator can also be used in other contexts, such as when multiplying two matrices or two vectors.
Digital Format and Math Typesetting
In digital format, the times dot symbol is represented as Unicode code point U+22C5, which you can type using Alt+022C5 on Windows computers, or by typing \cdot into TeX documents. In typeset mathematics, the dot operator is written as \cdot in LaTeX.
Dot Product Meaning in Linear Algebra
When the dot operator is used between two vectors in linear algebra, it denotes their dot product, also known as the scalar product. The dot product of two vectors produces a number that represents how aligned the two vectors are with each other.
Difference Between the Dot and Cross Symbols
It’s important to note that there is a difference between the dot operator and the cross symbol ×. Both symbols are used to denote multiplication, but they serve different purposes depending on the mathematical context. The distinction between these two symbols is recognized in mathematical notation.