TeXipedia

bowtie

Represents a bowtie-shaped binary relation operator commonly used in mathematical notation and relational algebra.

Overview

Primarily employed in advanced mathematics and computer science to denote specific types of join operations or relational compositions.

  • Frequently appears in database theory to represent natural joins between relations
  • Used in set theory and category theory to indicate particular types of compositions
  • Common in academic papers and technical documentation discussing relational algebra
  • Serves as a visual representation of combining or joining two entities with matching characteristics

Examples

Representing a join operation between relations in relational algebra.

R⋈SR \bowtie S 
R \bowtie S

Expressing a natural join between database tables A and B on a common attribute.

A⋈B={(a,b)∣a∈A∧b∈B}A \bowtie B = \{(a,b) \mid a \in A \land b \in B\} 
A \bowtie B = \{(a,b) \mid a \in A \land b \in B\}

Showing multiple relation joins in a database query.

R1⋈R2⋈R3R_1 \bowtie R_2 \bowtie R_3 
R_1 \bowtie R_2 \bowtie R_3