When did the * start meaning the same thing as an X when multiplying on a calculator?

Question

Is the * going to replace the X on all calculators? Is this taught in the schools now, or is it still X when multiplying?

Answer 1

It really just depends on what the norm is for the course you are taking. In simple arithmetic an "x" will work perfectly for multiplication, however as you progress through mathematics, as in algebra, x's become widely used as variable names, which makes determining if an "x" stands for multiplication or a variable a bit more difficult. I believe algebra is when the dot is also introduced as a replacement for the "x" in multiplication.

As far as calculators go, if they have scientific functions, then multiplication will most likely be represented as a * since the "x" probably be reserved for variable use.

Answer 2

I do not know if the * is going to be replacing the x on all calculators. My best educated guess would be this: when multiplying the most common variable "x", people would end up with a symbol that looks like this: xx. Does that mean x squared? Does it mean x times something? Does it mean something times x? Thus, there is a confusion factor.

Introducing the * for multiplying made things easier, especially when reading problems on paper.

Answer 3

A number of symbols are used for multiplication depending on the context. In arithmetic where the things being multiplied together are numbers, the symbol that looks like an "X" is usually used. Since the operands are numbers, there is no chance of confusion with variable names. An alternative symbol is a dot centered vertically in the text.

In basic algebra, multiplication is usually indicated just concatenating the variable names; "ab" means "a times b". This can cause confusion if there are digits mixed in with the variable names; 42a means "fourty-two times a" and not "four times two times a". Regular multiplication symbols as used in arithmetic are used to disambuguate these cases when needed.

In abstract algebra, sometimes an "X" within a circle or a dot within a circle are used to represent the multiplication-like operator of a group or ring.

The use of "*" as a multiplication symbol is restricted to computer discussions only, with its use a result of the absence of any of the usual multiplication symbols on the standard keyboard. A similar symbol is, however, used in signal processing to indicate the convolution of two time series.

Answer 4

The use of asterisk(*) for the "multiply" operation began with the FORTRAN programming language, in 1953. From here the notation spread to almost every multiplication operation in any computer context.

Of course this was not a widespread notation anywhere else except the--at the time very limited--world of computers. Cash registers and adding machines, in particular, did not use this notation. They all used the more familiar common math notation(x). When pocket calculators were first developed, it was still the case that almost no one used computers, so almost no one ever saw the asterisk notation. Following the example of cash registers and adding machines before them, calculator makers everywhere adopted the common math notation(x).

Now, a generation later, most people's first "calculator" experience is with the calculator utility program on their computer, cell phone, or PDA. All of these programs use asterisk(*) for multiplication following the standard usage for computers.

So now, even some actual hardware calculators are switching to this asterisk notation, because it is more familiar to users whose first "calculator" was a software calculator.

Answer 5

The introduction of computers made ushered in the use of the * character to mean multiply. Mostly becuase it could not be set up so that a computer would automatically recognize when an "X" was the letter X or if it was supposed to mean multiply. Therefore, the "*" symbol was designed as the character to signify multiply and "X" simply stayed as the letter X.