Division sign

Mathematical symbol used to denote division

The division sign is a mathematical symbol used to indicate the operation of division. It is represented by the symbol "÷" and is commonly used in arithmetic to denote the division of one number by another. The division sign is also known as the obelus.

History

The division sign has its origins in the work of Swiss mathematician Johann Rahn, who first used it in his book Teutsche Algebra published in 1659. Prior to the adoption of the division sign, division was often indicated by placing the dividend over the divisor with a horizontal line between them, similar to a fraction.

Usage

In arithmetic, the division sign is used to separate the dividend from the divisor. For example, in the expression "8 ÷ 2", 8 is the dividend and 2 is the divisor, and the expression evaluates to 4.

The division sign is primarily used in elementary arithmetic and is less common in higher mathematics, where division is often represented by a fraction bar or by the use of the slash symbol ("/").

Alternatives

In modern mathematical notation, division is often represented by a horizontal line between the dividend and divisor, forming a fraction. For example, the expression "8 ÷ 2" can also be written as "\( \frac{8}{2} \)".

In computer programming and digital text, the division operation is typically represented by the forward slash ("/") due to the limitations of character sets and keyboards.

Related Symbols

• The multiplication sign (×) is used to denote multiplication, the inverse operation of division.
• The fraction bar is used to represent division in the form of a fraction.
• The slash (/) is commonly used in digital formats to represent division.

Also see

• Multiplication sign
• Fraction (mathematics)
• Arithmetic
• Mathematical notation