Symbols:Arithmetic and Algebra/Multiplication (Algebra)

Multiplication in Algebra

 * $\cdot$

$x \cdot y$ means $x$ times $y$, or $x$ multiplied by $y$.

A binary operation on two variables.

Usually used when variables are involved (as opposed to numbers) to avoid confusion with the use of $\times$ which could be confused with the symbol $x$ when used as a variable.

It is preferred that the symbol $\cdot$ is not used in arithmetic between numbers, as it can be confused with the decimal point.

Also see

 * Symbols:Arithmetic and Algebra/Multiplication (Arithmetic)

See Vector Algebra, Abstract Algebra and Symbolic Logic: Deprecated Symbols for alternative definitions of this symbol.