TeXipedia

triangleleft

Represents a left-pointing triangular binary relation operator commonly used in mathematical notation.

Overview

Serves as a mathematical symbol primarily used to denote specific binary relations or ordering in abstract algebra and set theory.

  • Often appears in advanced mathematics to indicate specialized ordering relationships
  • Frequently used in conjunction with its counterpart \triangleright for expressing bidirectional relationships
  • Common in formal logic and theoretical computer science for expressing hierarchical relationships
  • Appears in abstract algebra texts when defining partial orders or specialized binary operations

Examples

Expressing a strict ordering relation between sets A and B.

ABA \triangleleft B
A \triangleleft B

Showing a normal subgroup relationship between groups G and H.

HGH \triangleleft G
H \triangleleft G

Indicating a proper refinement relationship between partitions P and Q.

PQ    P>QP \triangleleft Q \implies |P| > |Q|
P \triangleleft Q \implies |P| > |Q|