At 11:28 PM 6/8/2004 -0400, Jim wrote: >Was Jane McGary pulling our legs when she said that the x used with these >names is the multiplication sign rather than the letter x? Is there a >difference? Are the other mathematical symbols which superficially look >like letters really something else? Inquiring minds want to know! No, I was not joking. In typography, the mathematical symbols that resemble letters are formed somewhat differently and take up a different amount of letterspace. If you're using a typeface that has serifs, the multiplication symbol lacks serifs, for example. The minus sign is close to the en dash in most types, but it usually takes up a different amount of space in the line. A small point, but that's what I get paid for -- even though I also write e-mails, in which I can use an x for a mult sign, and end sentences with prepositions. Best regards, Jane McGary