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Multiplication Notation in Algebra
In algebra, the cross symbol () is generally not used for multiplication because it can easily be confused with the variable letter . For instance, the expression could be misread as (meaning "three times ") rather than its intended meaning of (meaning "three times times "). To avoid this ambiguity, algebraic multiplication is instead indicated by a raised dot (), by juxtaposition — writing factors side by side with no symbol, as in — or by enclosing one or both factors in parentheses, such as , , or . One notable exception is scientific notation, where the cross symbol is customarily used as the multiplication sign — for example, — even though it is avoided elsewhere in algebra.
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