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times sign / multiplication sign

The times sign represents:

multiplication

5 x 6 = 30
five times six equals thirty
five multiplied by six equals thirty
five sixes are thirty
if you multiply 5 by 6 you get thirty

Multiplication gives us a product. In 5 x 6 = 30, the product is thirty.

÷ OR /
division sign

The division sign represents:

division

15 ÷ 3 = 5
15 / 3 = 5
fifteen divided by three equals five
five goes into fifteen three times
if you divide fifteen by three you get five
if you divide three into fifteen you get five

Division gives us a quotient. In 15 ÷ 3 = 5, the quotient is five.

Some examples:

Physics:

1. Newton’s Second Law (Physics): If you see an equation like «F = m * a,» read it as «force equals mass times acceleration.»
2. Work Done (Physics): In an equation like «W = F * d * cos(θ),» read it as «work equals force times distance times the cosine of the angle.«

Chemistry:

1. Ideal Gas Law (Chemistry): When discussing the ideal gas law equation «PV = nRT,» read it as «pressure times volume equals the product of the number of moles, the gas constant, and the temperature.«
2. Molarity (Chemistry): In an equation like «M = n / V,» read it as «molarity equals the number of moles divided by the volume.«

Biology:

1. Growth Rate (Biology): If you encounter a formula like «r = (Nf / Ni)^1/t — 1,» read it as «growth rate equals the t-th root of the ratio of final population to initial population, minus one.»
2. Enzyme Kinetics (Biology): When discussing the Michaelis-Menten equation «v = (Vmax * [S]) / (Km + [S]),» read it as «reaction velocity equals the product of maximum velocity and substrate concentration, divided by the sum of Michaelis constant and substrate concentration.»

Computer Science:

1. Time Complexity (Computer Science): In the context of algorithm time complexity, if you’re discussing an algorithm’s running time as «O(n * log n),» read it as «big O notation of n times logarithm base two of n.»
2. Floating-Point Arithmetic (Computer Science): When explaining the representation of floating-point numbers like «x = sign * (1 + fraction) * 2^exponent,» read it as «x equals the product of the sign, 1 plus the fraction, and 2 raised to the power of the exponent.»

Remember, the way you read multiplication and division symbols varies based on the context and the specific examples you’re discussing. Accurate interpretation of these symbols is essential to convey the correct meaning of mathematical relationships in various scientific subjects.