TeXipedia

plusmn

Represents the plus-minus symbol (±) used to indicate a value that can be either positive or negative.

Overview

Essential in mathematical and scientific notation for expressing measurement uncertainties, error margins, and dual solutions to equations.

  • Commonly used in experimental sciences to indicate measurement tolerances
  • Appears frequently in algebra when expressing both positive and negative roots
  • Standard notation in statistics for confidence intervals and standard deviations
  • Used in engineering specifications to denote acceptable ranges or tolerances

Examples

Expressing measurement uncertainty or tolerance in scientific data.

25.4±0.1 mm25.4 \plusmn 0.1 \text{ mm} 
25.4 \plusmn 0.1 \text{ mm}

Representing the two possible values in a quadratic equation.

x=−b±b2−4acx = -b \plusmn \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac} 
x = -b \plusmn \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}

Showing voltage range in electrical specifications.

Vout=5.0±0.5 VV_{out} = 5.0 \plusmn 0.5 \text{ V} 
V_{out} = 5.0 \plusmn 0.5 \text{ V}