<, >, ^

[plin]

&lt;, >, ^ What's the the proper use for these symbols in English writing, if any?
Thanks.


Plin

[sc231426]

^ is used as a substitute for superscription, when the word processor cannot superscribe characters.

This mostly appears in math:

2^3 = "2 to the third power" = 2x2x2 = 8
2^4 = "2 to the fourth power" = 2x2x2x2 = 16

< and > are also used in math to mean "less than" and "greater than," respectively.

x<4
y>x-2


Other math uses:
- Vectors are written with < and > instead of ( and ) in order to distinguish them from simple points. <3, 4> is a vector with x value 3 and y value 4. (3, 4) is a point at x=3 and y=4.
- In accounting, < and > go around numbers to be subtracted from the total.

10,000
<2,000>
-----------
8,000

The MLA handbook for research/ formal writing says to use < and > around Internet websites when writing bibliographies and lists of works cited. Ex:

Evnine, Simon J. "The Universality of Logic: On the Connection between Rationality and Logical Ability." Mind 110.438 (2001). 31 July 2001 <http://www3.oup.co.uk/mind/>.

This is the only time I've seen < and > in writing.