Infinity symbol Infinity symbol The infinity symbol (sometimes called the lemniscate) is a mathematical symbol representing the concept of infinity. The shape of a sideways figure eight has a long pedigree; for instance, it appears in the cross of Saint Boniface, wrapped around the bars of a Latin cross. However, John Wallis is credited with introducing the infinity symbol with its mathematical meaning in 1655, in his "De sectionibus conicis". Wallis did not explain his choice of this symbol, but it has been conjectured to be a variant form of a Roman numeral for 1,000 (originally CIƆ, also CƆ), which was sometimes
Degree symbol degree such as minute (′), second (″), and third (‴), which originate as small raised Roman numerals. In the case of degrees of angular arc, the degree symbol follows the number without any intervening space (e.g., 30°). The addition of minute and second of arc units follow the degree units, with intervening spaces between the units but no spaces between the numbers and arc symbols (e.g., 30° 12′ 5″). In the case of degrees of temperature, three scientific and engineering standards bodies (BIPM, ISO and the U.S. Government Printing Office) prescribe printing temperatures with a space between the number and