Learning how to type the division symbol can be quite useful, especially when working on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations that require mathematical inputs. In this article, you will learn six easy steps to type the division symbol on your keyboard.

1. Identify the division symbol:

The first step is to know which symbol represents division. There are two common division symbols:

a. Obelus (÷) – This symbol comprises of a horizontal line with one dot above and another below. It is commonly used in mathematical calculations and digital text.

b. Slash (/) – This more straightforward symbol looks like an angled line separating two numbers. It is widely used in fractions and, sometimes, as a substitute for the obelus.

2. Typing the obelus (÷):

To type the obelus on a Windows keyboard, use the following combination:

a. Press and hold the “Alt” key.

b. Type “0247” using your keyboard’s numeric keypad located on the right side of the keyboard.

c. Release the “Alt” key.

Unfortunately, most laptops do not have numeric keypads. In this case, you can copy and paste one from an internet search or use the Windows Character Map utility.

3. Typing the slash (/):

To type the slash symbol, locate it on your keyboard adjacent to or above your “Shift” or “Enter” keys (depending on your keyboard model) and press it without any modifier keys.

4. Using calculator applications:

If you are using a calculator application such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets or any other calculator online, you can generally forgo typing special symbols as these application often recognize “/” as a valid division operator.

5. Typing symbols on Mac computers:

On macOS computers, you can find specific characters like the obelus under the “Emoji & Symbols” menu, accessible by pressing “Control + Command + Space” simultaneously. You can either search for “division” and select it or navigate to the Math Symbols category.

6. Typing symbols on mobile devices:

Both Android and Apple devices offer dedicated division symbols in their number keyboard section. To access this symbol, switch to the number or symbol keyboard, and long-press any number key until you see symbols like “/”, “*”, and “%” in a pop-up-menu. Slide your finger to the desired division symbol before releasing.

In conclusion, knowing how to type the division symbol can help you better communicate mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. With these six simple steps in mind, you will be well equipped to type both obelus and slash division symbols on different platforms and devices.