Symbols are a concise way of giving lengthy instructions related to numbers and logic.

Symbols are a communication tool. Symbols are used to eliminate the need to write long, plain language instructions to describe calculations and other processes.

For example, a single symbol stands for the entire process for addition. The familiar plus sign eliminates the need for a long written explanation of what addition means and how to accomplish it.

The same symbols are used worldwide . . .

The symbols used in mathematics are universal.

The same math symbols are used throughout the civilized world. In most cases each symbol gives the same clear, precise meaning to every reader, regardless of the language they speak.

The most valuable, most frequently used Symbols in mathematics . . .

The most important, most frequently used Grouping symbols are listed below.

Grouping Symbols (delimiters) - click description

Return To
"Top of Page"
click here

Curly Bracket Symbols (also called Braces) -

Curly brackets are most commonly used as (1) grouping symbols in a mathematical expression , and (2) grouping symbols used to identify a set of elements .

When used in a mathematical expression, left "{" curly brackets, and right "}" curly brackets are used together. They can be interchanged with parenthesis or square brackets.

However, if there are three levels of grouping in a nested expression, generally parentheses are used in the inner most groupings.

Square brackets are used in the next higher level grouping, and braces are used in the most outer groupings (see " Nested expressions " for an example).

Examples using curly brackets

Using curly brackets in mathematical expressions

. . . Click here to see the three examples demonstrating the use of parentheses.

. . . Replace the parentheses with curly backets in the mathematical expressions illustrated.

. . . The step-by-step procedure for evaluating expressions using curly brackets is exactly the same as the step-by-step procedure for evaluating expressions using parentheses.