Element Of (Membership) – Meaning, Copy & Paste, LaTeX, Unicode
Complete mathematical reference, typing shortcuts, character entities, and usage guide for the Element Of (Membership) (∈).
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What Does the ∈ Symbol Mean?
The element of symbol (∈) indicates set membership in mathematical set theory. Written as x ∈ S, it states that the object or number x belongs to, or is an element of, the collection or set S. The symbol is a stylized lowercase Greek epsilon, chosen by Giuseppe Peano.
Real Numeric Examples
5 ∈ {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} 5 is listed among the odd digits The integer 5 is explicitly a member of the given set of odd numbers, making the statement true.
-3 ∈ ℤ -3 is a whole negative number in the integer domain The integer -3 belongs to the set of all integers (denoted by ℤ).
LaTeX, Unicode, HTML & Keyboard Codes for ∈
Copy individual technical codes and character entities with one click:
\in U+2208 ∈ ∈ Alt+8712 Cmd + Ctrl + Space (Search 'element of') How to Type ∈ on Every Device and Application
Step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, Word, Google Docs, Excel, HTML, LaTeX, and mobile devices:
Windows
Hold Alt and type 8712 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 2208 and press Alt + X. Or use Win + . to pick it from the Math symbols tab.
Alt+8712 Mac (macOS)
Press Cmd + Ctrl + Space to open Character Viewer, search for 'element of', and double-click ∈.
Cmd + Ctrl + Space (Search 'element of') Microsoft Word
In Word Equation mode (Alt + =), type \in and hit Space. Outside equation mode, type 2208 and hit Alt + X.
\in Google Docs
Go to Insert > Equation, type \in, and press Space. Or Insert > Special characters and search 'element of'.
\in Excel / Spreadsheets
Output the ∈ symbol into any cell with the formula =UNICHAR(8712).
=UNICHAR(8712) HTML & Web
Use the HTML named entity ∈ or numeric code ∈.
∈ LaTeX (Math Mode)
Write \in in LaTeX math mode ($x \in A$). For non-membership, use \notin ($x \notin B$).
\in Android & iPhone (iOS)
Copy ∈ from this page or enable a math symbol keyboard on iOS/Android.
∈ Commonly Confused With
Distinguish ∈ from visually similar mathematical glyphs and characters:
Not an Element Of
vs ∈The slashed symbol ∉ (U+2209) states that an element does NOT belong to a set (e.g. 4 ∉ {1, 3, 5}).
Explore in set theory symbolsSubset Of
vs ∈The subset symbol (⊂) relates two sets to each other (e.g. {1,2} ⊂ {1,2,3}), whereas ∈ relates a single individual element to a set (e.g. 1 ∈ {1,2,3}).
Explore in set theory symbolsGreek Epsilon
vs ∈Greek lowercase epsilon (ε, U+03B5) is a letter used for small quantities in calculus limits, while ∈ (U+2208) is the dedicated set membership operator.
Explore in greek math symbolsFrequently Asked Questions About ∈
Answers to common questions about typing, meaning, and syntax for ∈:
What does ∈ mean in mathematics?
∈ denotes 'element of' or 'belongs to'. When written as x ∈ A, it means that the entity x is an item contained within the set A.
What is the difference between ∈ (element of) and ⊂ (subset)?
∈ connects an individual element to a set (e.g. 2 ∈ {1, 2, 3}), whereas ⊂ connects a subset to a superset (e.g. {2} ⊂ {1, 2, 3}). You cannot write {2} ∈ {1, 2, 3} unless the set contains sets.
How do you write element of in LaTeX?
In LaTeX math mode, write \in (e.g. $x \in \mathbb{R}$). For 'not an element of', write \notin ($y \notin A$).
What is the HTML entity for ∈?
The HTML named entity for ∈ is ∈ and the numeric decimal entity is ∈.
How do you type ∈ in Word?
In Microsoft Word, hit Alt + = to enter equation mode, type \in, and press Space. Or type 2208 and press Alt + X.