TeXipedia

pm

Represents the plus-minus operator used to indicate both positive and negative values simultaneously in mathematical expressions.

Overview

Essential in mathematical notation for expressing dual possibilities or ranges, particularly when dealing with solutions to equations or measurement uncertainties.

  • Commonly used in quadratic formula solutions to show both positive and negative roots
  • Vital in scientific writing for expressing measurement margins of error
  • Appears frequently in physics and engineering when describing tolerances or ranges
  • Used in statistical analysis to indicate standard deviations from a mean value

Examples

Express the solutions to a quadratic equation using plus-minus notation.

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

Show a measurement with error bounds.

Length=5.2±0.1 cm\text{Length} = 5.2 \pm 0.1 \text{ cm} 
\text{Length} = 5.2 \pm 0.1 \text{ cm}

Represent a complex number in polar form.

z=r(cos⁡θ±isin⁡θ)z = r(\cos \theta \pm i\sin \theta) 
z = r(\cos \theta \pm i\sin \theta)