= are the signs of equality, and signify, that the quantities and numbers on the one side of it are equal to the quantities and numbers on the other.
√ is the sign of radicality, and shews (according to the index of the power that is set over or after it) the square, cube, or other root, that is extracted, or is to be so, out of any quantity.
∛ is the sign of the cube root, and signifies the extraction of it, as in the square root above.
∺ is the sign of continued, or geometrical proportion.
∷ is the mark of geometrical proportion disjunct, and is usually placed between two pair of equal ratio’s; as 3 : 6 ∷ 4 : 8, shews, that 3 is to 6, as 4 is to 8. Or a : b ∷ d : e, and are thus read, as a is to b, so is d to e, &c.
> or ⫍ are signs of majority; thus a > b expresses that a is greater than b.
< or ⫎ are signs of minority; and when we would denote that a is less than b, we write a < b, or a ⫎ b, &c.
± signifies more, or less such a quantity, and is used often in the extraction of roots, completing of squares, &c.
Artillery-Characters, most generally used, are as follow:
C. qr. lb. which signifies centners, or hundreds of 112 pounds, qr. quarters of 28 pounds, lb. pounds of 16 ounces avoirdupois. Thus a piece of artillery with 14 c. 3 q. 16 lb., is 14 hundred, 3 quarters, and 16 pounds.