Plus or Minus Symbols
Plus-Minus Sign
U+00B1
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Minus-Or-Plus Sign
U+2213
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Plus Sign
U+002B
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Minus Sign
U+2212
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Heavy Plus Sign
U+2795
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Heavy Minus Sign
U+2796
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Hyphen-Minus
U+002D
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Minus Sign
U+2212
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Superscript Plus Sign
U+207A
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Superscript Minus
U+207B
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Subscript Plus Sign
U+208A
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Subscript Minus
U+208B
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Dot Plus
U+2214
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Dot Minus
U+2238
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Circled Plus
U+2295
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Circled Minus
U+2296
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Squared Plus
U+229E
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Squared Minus
U+229F
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Plus Sign with Small Circle
U+2A23
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Minus Sign with Dot Below
U+2A2F
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Minus Sign with Falling Dots
U+2A30
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Minus Sign with Rising Dots
U+2A31
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What is the plus or minus Symbol?
The plus or minus symbol (±) is a mathematical symbol that represents two possible values: one positive and one negative. It is commonly used to indicate the precision of a measurement or a range of values.
For example, if a measurement is reported as 10 ± 0.5, it means the actual value could be anywhere between 9.5 and 10.5. This symbol is widely used in mathematics, engineering, physics, and statistics to express tolerance or uncertainty.
The plus minus symbol is also used in formulas to represent two equations at once. For instance, the quadratic formula x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a shows that there are two possible solutions for x.
How to Use the Plus or Minus Symbol
Using the plus or minus symbol is straightforward once you know the various methods available. Here are the most common ways to insert this symbol:
Copy and Paste
The easiest method is to copy paste plus or minus symbol directly from collections like this one. Simply click on any symbol above to copy it to your clipboard, then paste it wherever you need it.
Keyboard Shortcuts
On Windows, you can use the plus or minus symbol alt code (Alt+241 or Alt+0177) by holding the Alt key and typing the numbers on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option+Shift+= to type the symbol.
Software Tools
In Microsoft Word, you can insert the symbol via the Insert tab or by typing 00B1 followed by Alt+X. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special Characters. In Excel, use the Insert Symbol dialog or the CHAR(177) function.
LaTeX
In LaTeX, use the \pm command to generate the plus or minus symbol
latex representation. For the minus or plus symbol (∓), use \mp.
Use Cases for Plus or Minus Symbols
Mathematics and Equations
The primary use of the ± symbol is in mathematical expressions where two values are possible. This is common in quadratic formulas, complex numbers, and solutions to equations with two roots.
Scientific Measurements
In science and engineering, the symbol indicates measurement precision or tolerance. For example, a resistor with a value of 100Ω ± 5% means its actual resistance could be between 95Ω and 105Ω.
Statistics and Data Analysis
In statistics, the plus minus symbol is used to express confidence intervals or margins of error. For instance, a poll might show 48% ± 3% support for a candidate.
Temperature Ranges
Weather forecasts sometimes use the ± symbol to indicate temperature variations. For example, 20°C ± 2°C means temperatures between 18°C and 22°C are expected.
Plus or Minus Symbol FAQs
The primary symbol for plus or minus is ± (U+00B1), used to denote addition or subtraction.
The hyphen (-) is shorter and used for connecting words. The minus sign (−) is longer and used for mathematical operations. Though often used interchangeably, typographically they are different symbols.
Yes, while ± means "plus or minus", ∓ means "minus or plus". They are often used together in expressions like "a ± b ∓ c" which means both "a + b - c" and "a - b + c".
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