What it means
In a limit, x → a means x approaches a. Between sets, f : A → B says the function f takes inputs from A to outputs in B. ↦ shows what a single input is sent to.
Read aloud in real formulas
lim_{h→0} (f(x + h) − f(x)) / h
Aethel says
the limit as h goes to 0 of the quantity f of the quantity x plus h, minus f of x, over h
h goes to zero
x ↦ x²
Aethel says
x maps to x squared
the function sending x to x squared
Typing it
- LaTeX
- \to, \mapsto
- Unicode
- U+2192, U+21A6
Formulas that use it
Questions
How do you say → out loud?
It is usually read “goes to”, and also “tends to” or “maps to”.
What does → mean in maths?
In a limit, x → a means x approaches a. Between sets, f : A → B says the function f takes inputs from A to outputs in B. ↦ shows what a single input is sent to.
How do you type →?
In LaTeX, write \to, \mapsto. Its Unicode code point is U+2192, U+21A6.