Geometry Symbols
Geometry Symbols: Geometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the properties of configurations of geometric objects – (straight) lines, circles and points being the most basic.
The area of mathematics that deals with space, lines, shapes and points
- Plane Geometry is about flat shapes like triangles, circles, and lines,
- Solid Geometry is about solid (3-dimensional) shapes like spheres and cubes.
Geometry Symbol Chart
Let’s explore the typical Geometry symbols and meanings used in both basic Geometry and more advanced levels through this geometry symbol chart.
Symbol |
Symbol Name |
Meaning/definition of the Symbols |
Example |
| ∠ | angle | formed by two rays | ∠ABC = 30º |
| ∟ | right angle | = 90º | α = 90º |
 |
spherical angle | AOB = 30º | |
| ´ | arcminute | 1º = 60´ | α = 60º59′ |
| º | degree | 1 turn = 360º | α = 60º |
| ´´ | arcsecond | 1´ = 60´´ | α = 60º59’59” |
| \(\overrightarrow{AB}\)< | ray | line that start from point A | |
| AB | line segment | the line from point A to point B | |
| | | perpendicular | perpendicular lines (90º angle) | AC | BC |
| ≅ | congruent to | equivalence of geometric shapes and size | ∆ABC ≅∆XYZ |
| || | parallel | parallel lines | AB || CD |
| Δ | triangle | triangle shape | ΔABC ≅ΔBCD |
| ~ | similarity | same shapes, not the same size | ∆ABC ~∆XYZ |
| π | pi constant | π = 3.141592654…
is the ratio between the circumference and diameter of a circle |
c = π·d = 2·π·r |
| |x–y| | distance | distance between points x and y | | x–y | = 5 |
| grad | grads | grads angle unit | 360º = 400 grad |
| rad | radians | radians angle unit | 360º = 2π rad |
The symbols for angles and triangles are most important and frequently used symbols in geometry.