In logical argument and mathematical proof, the therefore sign, ∴, is generally used before a logical consequence, such as the conclusion of a syllogism. The symbol consists of three dots placed in an upright triangle and is read therefore. While it is not generally used in formal writing, it is used in mathematics and shorthand.
According to Cajori, A History of Mathematical Notations,Johann Rahn used both the therefore and because signs to mean "therefore"; in the German edition of Teutsche Algebra (1659) the therefore sign was prevalent with the modern meaning, but in the 1668 English edition Rahn used the because sign more often to mean "therefore".[1]: vol. 1, p. 211 Other authors in the 18th century also used three dots in a triangle shape to signify "therefore", but as with Rahn, there wasn't much in the way of consistency as to how the triangle was oriented; because with its current meaning appears to have originated in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the three-dot notation for 'therefore' became very rare in continental Europe, but it remains popular in Anglophone countries.[1]
A diploma from the Masonic Grande Loge de France showing the symbol as a substitute for the dot of abbreviation
In Freemasonry traditions, the symbol is used to indicate a Masonic abbreviation (rather than the period mark used conventionally with some abbreviations). For example, "R∴W∴ John Smith" is an abbreviation for "Right Worshipful John Smith" (the term Right Worshipful is an honorific and indicates that Brother Smith is a Grand Lodge officer).[4]
Unicodeedit
The symbol has a Unicode code point at U+2234∴THEREFORE (∴, ∴, ∴). See Unicode input for keyboard-entering methods.
An asterism, ⁂, is a typographic symbol consisting of three asterisks placed in a triangle. Its purpose is to "indicate minor breaks in text", to call attention to a passage, or to separate sub-chapters in a book. It is also used in meteorology to indicate 'moderate snowfall'.
In Norwegian and Danish, a superficially similar symbol was formerly used as an explanatory symbol (forklaringstegnet). It can be typeset using the open o followed by a colon, thus: ɔ:. It is used for the meaning "namely", id est (i.e.), scilicet (viz.) or similar.[6]
^ abCajori, Florian (2011) [1929]. A History of Mathematical Notations: Two Volumes in One. Cosimo, Inc. pp. 282–283. ISBN978-1-61640-571-7.
^Ahrens, C. Donald (2011). Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. p. 461. ISBN9780840049339. OCLC 651905769.
^"Station Model Information for Weather Observations". National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
^Mackey, Albert Gallatin (1925). An Encyclopedia of freemasonry and its kindred sciences, comprising the whole range of arts, sciences and literature as connected with the institution (reprint ed.). Masonic History Co. p. 2.
^"Forklaringstegnet: en savnet del av det typografiske repertoar?" [Explanation: A missing part of the typographical repertoire?]. www.typografi.org (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2018-08-15.
January 01, 1970
therefore, sign, logical, argument, mathematical, proof, therefore, sign, generally, used, before, logical, consequence, such, conclusion, syllogism, symbol, consists, three, dots, placed, upright, triangle, read, therefore, while, generally, used, formal, wri. In logical argument and mathematical proof the therefore sign is generally used before a logical consequence such as the conclusion of a syllogism The symbol consists of three dots placed in an upright triangle and is read therefore While it is not generally used in formal writing it is used in mathematics and shorthand Therefore signIn UnicodeU 2234 THEREFORE amp there4 amp Therefore amp therefore RelatedSee alsoSimilar signs below Contents 1 History 2 Example of use 3 Other uses 3 1 Freemasonry 4 Unicode 5 Similar signs 6 See also 7 ReferencesHistory editAccording to Cajori A History of Mathematical Notations Johann Rahn used both the therefore and because signs to mean therefore in the German edition of Teutsche Algebra 1659 the therefore sign was prevalent with the modern meaning but in the 1668 English edition Rahn used the because sign more often to mean therefore 1 vol 1 p 211 Other authors in the 18th century also used three dots in a triangle shape to signify therefore but as with Rahn there wasn t much in the way of consistency as to how the triangle was oriented because with its current meaning appears to have originated in the 19th century In the 20th century the three dot notation for therefore became very rare in continental Europe but it remains popular in Anglophone countries 1 Example of use editUsed in a syllogism All gods are immortal Zeus is a god Zeus is immortal and in mathematics x 1 10 x 9Other uses editIn meteorology the therefore sign is used to indicate moderate rain on a station model the similar typographic symbol asterism three asterisks indicates moderate snow 2 3 Freemasonry edit nbsp A diploma from the Masonic Grande Loge de France showing the symbol as a substitute for the dot of abbreviation In Freemasonry traditions the symbol is used to indicate a Masonic abbreviation rather than the period mark used conventionally with some abbreviations For example R W John Smith is an abbreviation for Right Worshipful John Smith the term Right Worshipful is an honorific and indicates that Brother Smith is a Grand Lodge officer 4 Unicode editThe symbol has a Unicode code point at U 2234 THEREFORE amp there4 amp Therefore amp therefore See Unicode input for keyboard entering methods Similar signs edit ஃ Similar signsIn UnicodeU 2235 BECAUSE amp becaus amp Because amp because U 0B83 ஃ TAMIL SIGN VISARGAU 2042 ASTERISMU 26EC HISTORIC SITE The inverted form known as the because sign is sometimes used as a shorthand form of because The character ஃ visarga in the Tamil script represents the aytam a special sound of the Tamil language An asterism is a typographic symbol consisting of three asterisks placed in a triangle Its purpose is to indicate minor breaks in text to call attention to a passage or to separate sub chapters in a book It is also used in meteorology to indicate moderate snowfall The graphically identical sign serves as a Japanese map symbol on the maps of the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan indicating a tea plantation On some maps a version of the sign with thicker dots is used to signal the presence of a national monument historic site or ruins it has its own Unicode code point 5 In Norwegian and Danish a superficially similar symbol was formerly used as an explanatory symbol forklaringstegnet It can be typeset using the open o followed by a colon thus ɔ It is used for the meaning namely id est i e scilicet viz or similar 6 See also editQ E D List of mathematical jargonReferences edit a b Cajori Florian 2011 1929 A History of Mathematical Notations Two Volumes in One Cosimo Inc pp 282 283 ISBN 978 1 61640 571 7 Ahrens C Donald 2011 Essentials of Meteorology An Invitation to the Atmosphere 6th ed Belmont CA Brooks Cole p 461 ISBN 9780840049339 OCLC 651905769 Station Model Information for Weather Observations National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center Retrieved 2019 07 16 Mackey Albert Gallatin 1925 An Encyclopedia of freemasonry and its kindred sciences comprising the whole range of arts sciences and literature as connected with the institution reprint ed Masonic History Co p 2 U 26EC HISTORIC SITE Forklaringstegnet en savnet del av det typografiske repertoar Explanation A missing part of the typographical repertoire www typografi org in Norwegian Retrieved 2018 08 15 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Therefore sign amp oldid 1209136374 Similar signs, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
