PRINCIPAL SIGNS OF OPERATIONS.

The signs of the fundamental operations are the same in Algebra as in Arithmetic.

8. The Sign of Addition, $+$.

The sign $+$ is read plus.

Thus, $4+3$, read $4$ plus $3$, indicates that the number $3$ is to be added to the number $4$, $a+b$, read $a$ plus $b$, indicates that the number $b$ is to be added to the number $a$.

9. The Sign of Subtraction, $-$.

The sign $-$ is read minus.

Thus, $4-3$, read $4$ minus $3$, indicates that the number $3$ is to be subtracted from the number $4$, $a-b$, read $a$ minus $b$, indicates that the number $b$ is to be subtracted from the number $a$.

10. The Sign of Multiplication, $×$.

The sign $\times$ is read times.

Thus, $4\times 3$, read $4$ times $3$, indicates that the number $3$ is to be multiplied by $4$, $a\times b$, read $a$ times $b$, indicates that the number $b$ is to be multiplied by the number $a$.

A dot is sometimes used for the sign of multiplication. Thus $2·3·4·5$ means the same as $2\times 3\times 4\times 5$. Either sign is read multiplied by when followed by the multiplier. $$a\times b$, or $$a·b$, is read $a$ dollars multiplied by $b$.

11. The Sign of Division, $÷$.

The sign $÷$ is read divided by.

Thus, $4÷2$, read $4$ divided by $2$, indicates that the number $4$ is to be divided by $2$, $a÷b$, read $a$ divided by $b$, indicates that the number $a$ is to be divided by the number $b$.

Division is also indicated by writing the dividend above the divisor with a horizontal line between them.

Thus, ${\displaystyle \frac{4}{2}}$ means the same as $4÷2$; ${\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}}$ means the same as $a÷b$.