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Is there a standard way of writing $a$ is divisible by $b$ in mathematical notation?

From what I've search it seems that writing $a \equiv 0 \pmod b$ is one way? But also you can write $b \mid a$ as well (the middle character is a pipe)? And sometimes that pipe is replaced by $3$ vertical dots?

Or is there a way of writing $a$ is a multiple of $b$ which I think means the same thing?

EDIT: thanks for the answers, is there a way to extend this and write something like: $b \mid a$ when $a = k$

  • 0
    I usually use $|$2012-04-22
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    The standard is $b\mid a$ whic is typeset "b \mid a" in TeX2012-04-22
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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematical_symbols2012-04-22
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    @pedja, thanks but that article lists both options2012-04-22
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    @AndreaMori, why mid? Is it short for something?2012-04-22
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    @PeterPhipps The spacing is different, compare $A|B$, $A\mid B$, $A\vert B$, $A\lvert B$ and $A\rvert B$ (edit: there actually are differences there in some fonts, even if those are not visible here).2012-04-22
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    @PeterPhipps I've found it: http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/498/mid-vert-lvert-rvert2012-04-22
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    d|A means d divides A.2017-06-12

6 Answers 6