Eng Equation

17.2.1999/H. V¨liaho
a

Pronunciation of mathematical expressions
The pronunciations of the most common mathematicalexpressions are given in the list
below. In general, the shortest versions are preferred (unless greater precision is necessary).
1. Logic∃

there exists

p⇒q

p implies q / if p, then q

∀

p⇔q

for all
p if and only if q /p is equivalent to q / p and q areequivalent

2. Sets
x∈A

x belongs to A / x is an element (or a member) of A

x∈A
/

x does not belong to A / x is not anelement (or a member) of A

A⊃B

A contains B / B is a subset of A

A⊂B

A is contained in B / A is a subset of B

A∩BA cap B / A meet B / A intersection B

A\B

A minus B / the difference between A and B

A∪B

A cup B / A join B / A union BA×B

A cross B / the cartesian product of A and B

3. Real numbers
x+1

x plus one

x−1

x minus one

x±1

x plusor minus one

xy

xy / x multiplied by y

(x − y )(x + y )
x
y

x minus y , x plus y

=

the equals sign

x=5

xequals 5 / x is equal to 5

x=5

x (is) not equal to 5

x over y

1

x≡y

x is equivalent to (or identical with) y

x≡yx is not equivalent to (or identical with) y

x>y

x is greater than y

x≥y

x is greater than or equal to y

x