What is infinity? The infinity symbol (∞) is a mathematical entity that is used to represent the concept of infinity. Infinity is defined in the dictionary as the state of something being boundless or limitless. While speaking strictly in mathematical terms, infinity is defined as something which cannot be represented by any known, previously defined number. Let’s know How To Type Infinity Symbol?
Applications: Infinity is a very important concept in Mathematics and has been used over all these years by mathematicians and physicists alike to prove their theories. Not only that, ancient philosophers had explored the idea of infinity, even proposing a few laws and paradoxes, and we continue to find its avid use even in modern-day literature. The infinity (∞) symbol was created by the mathematician, John Wallis, in the year 1965.
How to type ∞? Now, it so happens that the infinity symbol (∞) is not readily available in the regular keyboards and keypads we end up using. So, is it difficult to master the art of entering the ∞ symbol in our document? That would be a nightmare for all the publishers out there. Thankfully, we are provided with a host of options to enter the ∞ symbol in our documents and we shall be exploring all of them in this article.
The infinity symbol: ∞
On MS-Windows: There can be three methods that can be used while trying to type the ∞ symbol while a desktop/laptop is running on Microsoft Windows Operating System.
(i) Using Alt code: This method works on all the desktops and most of the laptops which are running on Windows. The ‘NumLock’ key has to be turned on for this process to work correctly. Once the NumLock is turned on, we have to hold the ‘Alt’ key and press the code 236 on the NumPad. This would print the ∞ symbol to the screen.
[NOTE: In some of the modern-day laptops, the ALT codes are completely ignored in attempts to make the laptops slimmer and more lightweight. In such a scenario, this method would fail and the next method on the list needs to be implemented.]
(ii) Character Map: ‘CharMap’ is a feature that allows us to access all the symbols which are installed on the computer. This feature can be used to print the required ∞ symbol.
(iii) Shift states: This method involves configuring the keyboard layout in Windows and takes about 5-10 minutes to set up. What follows is pure delight, as not only the ∞ symbol but even the other complex symbols can easily be printed by assigning particular keys to them.
On macOS: There is a fairly simple option available over here. If we hold the ‘Option’ key and the ‘5’ key is pressed then, we will get the ∞ symbol on our screens.
On Linux: Like Windows, we can use a character map to get the ∞ symbol in Linux too and the other options include using third and fourth level chooser keys and Unicode hex codes.
On Microsoft Office apps: In any of the applications provided by the MS Office package (examples: MS Word, MS Excel), we have two options to insert the ∞ symbol in our text.
(i) This is identical to the process (i) discussed above in the ‘On MS Windows’ section, i.e., we need to press the ‘Alt’ key and 236 on the ‘Numpad’ together while making sure that the ‘NumLock’ is on.
(ii) The second process involves making use of the built-in ‘symbols’ section present in the MS Office apps. The steps would be:
Insert > Symbol > ∞
On Android/iOS/web pages: It is not possible to insert the ∞ symbol directly on the most popular smartphone Operating system available in the market today. We can’t also insert the symbol while we are browsing on a webpage and may need to type something.
The best bet in such scenarios is simply to copy the symbol provided above and paste it in the required place. The shortcut key combination for copy is- ‘Ctrl’ + ‘C’, while for paste, the combination is ‘Ctrl’ + ‘V’.
ASCII: ASCII is a global standard for symbols and the ASCII code for the ∞ symbol is 236.
Unicode: The Unicode is: U+221E
HTML Infinity Symbol: ∞ or ∞
LaTeX and MATLAB: \infty
These are some of the well-known methods to try and insert the ∞ symbol in our document as and when necessary.
Conclusion:
Thus, we see that there are a number of ways to insert the ∞ symbol, either from the keyboard or using the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Though, a few of the ways may take some time, yet, all of the above methods have been verified to be 100% effective.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here, we have compiled some of the most asked questions on the internet about the ∞ symbol and tried to answer them.
Question. Why is ∞ so important?
The concept of infinity is an extremely important one and is quite significant in Mathematics, especially in Calculus and set theory. It represents the concept of unboundedness and helps to make certain problems much simpler.
Question. Is infinity an imaginary number?
The number line of an imaginary number is finite and thus, infinity can’t be an imaginary number.
Question. Is infinity the biggest possible number?
There is no number bigger than infinity. But infinity is not a number in itself and as such, it is tough to answer this question directly. All we can do is know the facts!
Bonus Section: References to the infinity sign (∞) in popular media:
- Annihilation: The protagonist of the film, Lena (played by Natalie Portman) has the ∞ symbol on her left forearm. The symbol denotes the cycle of life and death as portrayed in the film.
- Avengers-Infinity War: It’s all in the title for this one!
- The Fault In Our Stars: Zeno’s paradox pertaining to infinity has been mentioned in this film and there are a number of memorable dialogues which involve infinity throughout the film.