In math, the “approximately equal” sign is made of two similar symbols. In LaTeX, you can create this sign using the commands \approx and \thickapprox.
These commands are part of the amssymb package, which offers many math symbols.
Basic Symbols for Approximation
To use these symbols in LaTeX, add the amssymb package to the start of your document. Here is an example of how to use \approx and \thickapprox in a LaTeX document:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
\[ p \approx q \]
\[ p \thickapprox q \]
\end{document}Output:
In this program, the \approx and \thickapprox commands create symbols for approximately equal. The amssymb package is required, especially for \thickapprox.
Advanced usage with combined symbols
LaTeX allows approximation symbols to be combined with relational operators like less than, greater than, and equals, which is useful for complex mathematical expressions.
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
\[ \begin{matrix}
\lessapprox & \gtrapprox & \approxeq \\[6pt]
\lnapprox & \gnapprox & \precapprox \\[6pt]
\succapprox & \precnapprox & \succnapprox
\end{matrix} \]
\end{document}Output:
Symbols like \lessapprox and \gtrapprox combine approximation with relational operators. To use them, include the amssymb package in your document.
| Symbol | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| \(\approx\) | \approx |
Represents that two quantities are almost equal. |
| \(\thickapprox\) | \thickapprox |
A thicker version of the almost equal symbol, making it visually distinct. |
| \(\lessapprox\) | \lessapprox |
Indicates that one quantity is less than and almost equal to another. |
| \(\gtrapprox\) | \gtrapprox |
Indicates that one quantity is greater than and almost equal to another. |
| \(\approxeq\) | \approxeq |
Another variation of the almost equal symbol. |
| \(\lnapprox\) | \lnapprox |
Indicates that one quantity is less than and not almost equal to another. |
| \(\gnapprox\) | \gnapprox |
Indicates that one quantity is greater than and not almost equal to another. |
| \(\precapprox\) | \precapprox |
Indicates a preceding and almost equal relationship. |
| \(\succapprox\) | \succapprox |
Indicates a succeeding and almost equal relationship. |
| \(\precnapprox\) | \precnapprox |
Indicates a preceding and not almost equal relationship. |
| \(\succnapprox\) | \succnapprox |
Indicates a succeeding and not almost equal relationship. |
