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Mathematica > Mathematics and Algorithms > Mathematical Functions > Arithmetic Functions >

Built-in Mathematica Symbol

Times (*, ×)

x*y*z, x×y×z or x y z
represents a product of terms.

The character × is entered as Esc * Esc or \[Times]. It is not the same as \[Cross].

Unlike other functions, Times applies built-in rules before user-defined ones. As a result, it is not possible to make definitions such as 2*2=5.

Enter Times with spaces; × is added automatically between numbers:

Alternative form:

Times threads element-wise over lists:

Explicit FullForm:

Enter Times with spaces; × is added automatically between numbers:

Alternative form:

Times threads element-wise over lists:

Explicit FullForm:

Times threads element-wise:

Pattern matching works with Times:

Use Expand to expand out products:

Use Dot for matrix or vector multiplication:

Use Product for products of indexed elements:

As well as for closed forms of products:

Use NonCommutativeMultiply for non commuting products: