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"Ellipsis"
- Symbol Shown and Explained -
Background - why Ellipsis Symbols are used. . .
Symbols are a concise way of giving lengthy instructions related to
numbers and logic.
Math Symbols are an invention, not a discovery. They are a
communication tool. Symbols are used to eliminate
the need to write long, plain language instructions to describe
calculations and other processes.
The most valuable, most frequently used Symbols in mathematics . . .
The most important, most frequently used Miscellaneous Symbols
are listed below.
Math Symbol for (horizontal) "Ellipsis" -
(Sometimes referred to as dot-dot-dot.)
In mathematics, inserting an ". . ." generally means two things:
(1)
Information has been omitted intentionally to save space.
(2)
To show that an established pattern continues.
Three types of ellipsis are commonly used:
(1)
Horizontal:
(2)
Vertical:
(3)
Diagonal:
Example 1:
, Horizontal
Set A: A = {a, b, c, . . ., x, y, z}
Set "A" contains all the letters of the alphabet, in alphabetical order. The "..." is used to: 1) show the letters "d" through "w" belong to the set, even though they are not listed individually; and 2) show that the unlisted letters are arranged alphabetically (the pattern already established by the a, b, c order).
Set B: B = {2, 4, 6, . . ., 22, 24, 26}
Set "B" contains all the even numbers from 2 through 26, listed from lowest to highest. The "..." is used to: 1) show the even numbers "8" through "20" belong to the set, even though they are not listed individually; and 2) show that the unlisted numbers are arranged lowest to highest (the pattern already established by the 2, 4, 6 arrangement).
Calculation: X = 5+6+7+. . .+11+12+13
"X" equals the sum of all the numbers between 5 and 13. The "..." is used to: 1) show the numbers "8" through "10" must be included, even though they are not listed individually; and 2) show that the unlisted numbers are added to the listed numbers (the pattern already established by 1+2+3+ ).
Note: Because a calculation is involved, the "..." is raised to the level of the + sign.
Repeating Decimal: Y = 7.121212. . .
(rational number)
The decimal portion of the number is a non-terminating sequence which repeats the numbers "12" over and over, forever. The "..." is used to: 1) show the decimal portion of the number contains more numbers than those listed; and 2) show the numbers "12" are repeated over and over in that order, endlessly.
Non-Repeating Decimal:
= 3.14159. . .
(irrational number)
The decimal portion of an irrational number such as Pi is a non-terminating sequence. It has no pattern which can be repeated. The "..." is used to: 1) show the decimal portion of the number contains more numbers than those listed.
Note: This is an exception. Irrational numbers such as Pi have non-terminating decimals. However, there is no repeating pattern. The "..." is used anyway.
Example 2:
, Vertical
Use the vertical ellipsis math symbol with a table or matrix
Example 3:
, Diagonal
Use the diagonal ellipsis math symbol with a table or matrix
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