Mathematical Italic Small A 𝑎

Visual Description: The symbol is a small italic lowercase a. It tilts to the right with a slim, uniform stroke. It looks like a math letter rather than standard text. It blends with other math symbols in formulas and displays on calculators or UI panels. That clarity helps students and engineers read complex lines quickly.

Meaning & Usage: It signals a variable or parameter in equations. In math software it is used to represent an unknown or a general element. In many fonts it pairs with operators and limits confusion with ordinary text. Users recognize it as math, not prose. In teaching tools it marks generality, so examples use it as a placeholder.

Historical Background: The mathematical italic style arose to separate symbols from regular writing. It is part of general typesetting traditions that keep variables distinct from descriptive words. Fonts in the math family include an italic alphabet where this a sits among letters, symbols, and digits. It sits alongside other symbols in a wide array of fonts.

Practical Use: In formulas and on calculators you may insert this symbol as a variable marker. Quick UI controls let you toggle styles, insert the symbol, or switch between variables and constants. It helps with readability when comparing expressions or composing multi step equations. When users copy and paste, the style is preserved, aiding consistency.

See our category page for related symbols.

Look‑alikes: a (U+61).

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