What it means
Two values at once, one with a plus and one with a minus, as in the two solutions of the quadratic formula. In measurements, 5.0 ± 0.1 gives a value and its uncertainty. ∓, minus or plus, flips the signs in step with a ± elsewhere in the same formula.
Read aloud in real formulas
x = ±√4
Aethel says
x equals plus or minus the square root of 4
x is 2 or −2
L = 5.0 ± 0.1 cm
Aethel says
L equals 5.0 plus or minus 0.1 cm
a length and its uncertainty
Typing it
- LaTeX
- \pm, \mp
- Unicode
- U+00B1, U+2213
Formulas that use it
Questions
How do you say ± out loud?
It is usually read “plus or minus”.
What does ± mean in maths?
Two values at once, one with a plus and one with a minus, as in the two solutions of the quadratic formula. In measurements, 5.0 ± 0.1 gives a value and its uncertainty. ∓, minus or plus, flips the signs in step with a ± elsewhere in the same formula.
How do you type ±?
In LaTeX, write \pm, \mp. Its Unicode code point is U+00B1, U+2213.