∷
Math Operator 52
- Unicode
- U+2237
- Category
- Math
- HTML Entity
- ∷
- CSS
- \2237
The ∷ symbol, officially known as the Proportion math operator, consists of four dots arranged in a square shape. In mathematics, it is used to express proportionality between two ratios, typically read aloud as "as" (for example, A is to B as C is to D). While primarily found in academic papers and technical documents, you might also spot it online as a decorative typographic element when a standard colon just isn't distinct enough.
How to Type
- Windows
- Alt+8759
- macOS
- Control+Command+Space then search "proportion"
- Linux
- Ctrl+Shift+U then 2237
- HTML
- ∷ or ∷
In Programming
While the dedicated ∷ symbol appears in formal mathematical typesetting, most programming languages (like C++, Rust, and Ruby) use two standard colons (::) for scope resolution to accommodate standard keyboard layouts.
Tags
a is to b as c is to d
analogy
analogy operator
double colon
equal ratios
four dot symbol
four dots
math proportion
mathematics
proportion
proportion notation
proportionality sign
ratio