EXPLANATION OF THE PRINCIPAL
THE sign or character = (called equality) denotes that the respective quantities, between which it is placed, are equal; as 4 poles 22 yards = 1 chain - 100 links.
The sign+(called plus, or more) signifies that the numbers, between which it is placed, are to be added together; as 9 + 6 (read 9 plus 6) 15. Geometrical lines are generally represented by capital letters; thus A B + C D, signifies that the line C D is to be added to the line A B.
(called minus, or less) denotes that the quantity which it precedes, is to be subtracted; as 15 6 (read 15 minus 6) = 9. In geometrical lines also, A B C D, signifies that the line C D is
to be subtracted from the line A B.
The sign denotes that the numbers, between which it is placed, are to be multiplied together; as 5 × 3 (read 5 multiplied by 3) =
The sign signifies division; as 15 ÷ 3 (read 15 divided by 3) 5. Numbers placed like a vulgar fraction, also denote division ; the upper number being the dividend, and the lower the divisor; as 15
(called proportionals) denote proportionality; as 2: 56: 15, signifying that the number 2 bears the same proportion to 5, as 6 does to 15; or, in other words, as 2 is to 5, so is 6 to 15.
(called vinculum) is used to connect
several quantities together; as 9+3-6 x 2 = 12-6 x 2 = 6 x 2 = 12.
The sign 2, placed above a quantity, represents the square of that quantity; as 5 + 3) 2 = 82 = 8 × 8 = 64.
The sign, placed above a quantity, denotes the cube of that quantity; as 9 + 3 83434 × 4×4 = 64.
The sign or, placed before a quantity, denotes the square root of that quantity; as √/9 × 4 = √36=6.
The sign, placed before a quantity, represents the cube root of that quantity; as 3/6 × 4 × 3)– 8 = 24 × 3 83/72