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Glite Dictionary
times sign

times sign

2.3
A symbol × used to show multiplication between numbers
  • noun
  • /taɪmz saɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : signo de multiplicación
  • Please write the times sign instead of the letter 'x' when multiplying.

Examples

  • The times sign is often confused with the letter 'x'.

  • The times sign is often introduced to students in early mathematics classes.

  • In the equation 3 times sign 4, the result is 12.

  • You need to use the times sign for multiplication.

  • In mathematics, we use the times sign to show multiplication, as in 3 × 4 = 12.

  • When teaching multiplication, I always remind my students to look for the times sign in equations.

  • The times sign commonly appears as a small cross in math problems involving multiplication.

Synonyms

multiplication sign
vstimes sign
  • Specialized
2.5

A symbol that shows one number times another, usually ×

has identical meaning but uses an alternative name

Surface Forms

times sign singular
times signs plural

Morphology

times + sign

The meaning 'the symbol × used to indicate multiplication' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'times' (the multiplication operation) with 'sign' (a symbol), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the multiplication symbol. This is a straightforward compositional pattern found in many languages; although learners might confuse the symbol with the letter 'x', the constituent meanings make the phrase clearly transparent.

Etymology

Times sign is the small cross-shaped mark used in math to show 'times' or 'multiply'. The word times means 'how many times' and the word sign means a mark, so the cross tells you to repeat one number that many 'times', which is why the times sign means 'multiply'.