Therefore Symbol

What does "therefore symbol" mean?

Therefore symbol ∴ is used before a logical consequence, like the conclusion of a syllogism, generally in math proof and rational argument. The "therefore sign" consists of three dots that are placed in an upright triangle. It is not commonly used in formal writing, but it is used in shorthand and mathematics.

According to "A History of Mathematical Notations," Johann Rahn used two symbols - "therefore" and "because" to signify "therefore." Other authors of the 18th century used three dots in a triangle shape to mean "therefore." Still, as with Rahn, there was not a lot of inconsistency in how the triangle was oriented. And with its current meaning, the sign appears to have originated in the 19th century. Later, in the 20th century, the three-dot notation for "therefore" became very infrequent in continental Europe, but it remains popular in Anglophone countries.

How to use therefore symbol

There are various ways in which we can use the therefore symbol. For instance, in a syllogism, we may use the sign accordingly:

• All gods are immortal.
• Zeus is a god.
• ∴ Zeus is immortal.
• x + 1 = 10
• ∴ x = 9.

However, the sign can also be used in meteorology, where "therefore, symbol" is used to signify "moderate rain" on a station model. The similar typographic symbol asterism ⁂ (created with three asterisks) indicates moderate snow.

The "therefore symbol" is also used in Masonic traditions, in which it indicates an abbreviation. For instance, "R∴W∴ John Smith" is an abbreviation for "Right Worshipful John Smith."

Similar “therefore symbols”

Therefore symbol. Unicode U+2234.

There are other similar forms of "therefore symbol" that look quite similar. For example:

• A Japanese map symbol, which is a graphically identical sign, ∴indicates a tea plantation. On some Japanese maps, the symbol appears with thicker dots and serves to signal a historic site, national monument, or ruins: ⛬. Unicode: U+26EC ⛬ (HTML ⛬).
• The inverted form ∵is known as the "because symbol," defined as a shorthand form of "because."
• In the Tamil script, the character ஃ (visarga) represents the āytam, which is a special Tamil language. Unicode for this sign is U+0B83 ஃ Tamil sign visarga (HTML ஃ).
• An asterism, ⁂, is a typographic symbol, and its purpose (except showing weather) is to "indicate minor breaks in-text," to separate sub-chapters or call attention to a passage in a book. Unicode: U+2042 ⁂ ASTERISM.

therefore symbol Unicode

The Unicode point of "therefore symbol" first appeared in version 1.1 of the Unicode® Standard. The symbol belongs to the "Mathematical Operators" block that goes from 0x2200 to 0x22FF. Users can add this character in their HTML code and the entity: ∴ or copy/paste right from here (∴). The "therefore symbol" has a Unicode code point at:

• U+2234 ∴ therefore (HTML ∴ · ∴, ∴, ∴).
• U+2235 ∵ because (HTML ∵ · ∵, ∵, ∵).

How to type "therefore symbol" in Apple

If you want to type the symbol in Apple, you should use the shortcut Ctrl+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer. On the left side, select Math Symbols, then click down once in the scroll bar area, and you will immediately see the ∴ symbol. Next, double-click the sign to insert it into your document, then close Character Viewer.

If you want, you can add "therefore symbol" to Word's AutoCorrect. Now that the sign is in your document copy it. Then, un Word's Preferences, go to AutoCorrect. Choose what code you want your Word to replace with ∴ sign whenever you type it. The 2-letter code "tf" seems reasonable, but select something that is easy and will not come up in the course of regular typing — ever. Once doing so, put that code into the "Replace: box" and then paste ∴ the symbol into the "With box." Next, hit "Add" and close Preferences.

Finally, whenever you type "tf" as a "word," the Word document will replace it with ∴ a symbol; Meaning that another alphanumeric character does not immediately precede it. Also, it is not immediately followed by another alphanumeric character.