Symbols:Number Theory/Divides

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Divisor

$x \divides y$

This means:

$x$ is a divisor (or factor) of $y$

or:

$x$ divides $y$.


The $\LaTeX$ code for \(x \divides y\) is x \divides y .


Deprecated Symbols

Divisor

$x \mid y$

This means $x$ is a divisor of $y$.


The symbol $\mid$ has been (or is in the process of being) superseded by $\divides$, which is becoming increasingly popular since many mathematicians are of the opinion that $\mid$ is overused, and hence a possible cause for confusion.


The $\LaTeX$ code for \(\mid\) is \mid .


Also see

See Set Difference for an alternative definitions of this symbol.