Mathematical symbols are all around us yet most people to not seem to realize this usage of what many have dreaded as they made their way through various levels of the education system. Some uses of symbols are right in plain sight every time we drive our vehicles to various locations. For example, think about what greets you at your steering wheel as you enter the highway and decide to engage your cruise control. There right in front of your face is the “+” and “-“ symbols that we all equate with increase or decrease. Two of the most basic of mathematical symbols from algebra and they stare at us virtually every day.

Another area that struck me as I was recently searching for a chemical for my work was how often mathematical symbols make their way into the logos for companies. I first noticed it while looking for some chemicals and came across Sigma-Aldrich which uses the uppercase Greek letter “” prominently as part of their logo. Of course as anyone with even a minor exposure to calculus and statistics knows this symbol is used extensively to indicate a summation of values. Another work related logo that just about poked me in the eye is a SPC software package I use on a regular basis from Infinity QS. This company uses the familiar symbol “∞” as part of its’ logo on Proficient QS software.

I decided to do some further research into companies that incorporate mathematical symbols in their corporate logos. What I quickly found was the spectrum of companies that use this concept in their logos range from what one would expect, mathematical related companies, e.g. Math Attack, to telecommunication, Plus (Poland) to disinfectants, LemonPlus, to non-profit organizations such as The National Autistic Society and Human Rights Campaign.

The designs ranged from very obvious with lots of clear mathematical symbols such multiplication signs and numbers as displayed in Math Attack. Other more subtle uses were use of a very stylized infinity symbol in the National Autistic Society which also incorporated the concept of two people as part of the infinity symbol. Clearly this is an attempt to make a statement regarding their cause by use of the infinity symbol. Others, such as Code Maus, use some humor by taking symbols common in mathematics and computer programming and combining them to make a whimsical graphical mouse.

Another interesting item I discovered what not the direct use of mathematical symbols in our daily lives rather the use of mathematics to derive the logos the top companies around the world use to help entice us to purchase their products. One of the most significant items is the use of “The Golden Ratio, ” to logo design. As described on the website F Phi 1.618, “From Renaissance artists of the 1500′s to graphic artists of today, phi is recognized for its ability to give a sense of aesthetic appeal in balance and harmony of design. Product logos represent an image that must make a positive and memorable impact on the conscious and subconscious minds of consumers”. Certainly one of the major goals of advertisement and logos is to capture the attention of consumers and draw to a certain product. Some of the common designs as described in the aforementioned website are TOYOTA as well as plastic soft drink container design by Pepsi-Cola. A more imaginative design is one of Disney’s logos that also incorporates the lower case phi () in the end of its logo where the “y” becomes a “”. Another interesting use of this design concept along with incorporation of the Fibonacci series, is the design for Hotel Indigo which has a class nautilus shell as part of its’ logo which by nature uses the Fibonacci series from mathematics to create. Also similar to this is the use of the classis Fibonacci series spiral design in a bean as part of a logo for a coffee shop (“The Golden Bean”).

In summary, mathematics and mathematical symbols surround us on a daily basis and yet these uses and symbols, while part of our everyday lives, go unnoticed by many and certainly not recognized by many as being “math”

REFERENCES
Bonigala, Mash. "Top 10 Math Logos." N.p., 3 Sept. 2010. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bonigala.com/top-10-math-logos>.

"Phi and the Golden Ratio in Logo Design."  Phi 1.618 The Golden Number. PhiPoint Solutions, LLC., 6 May 2012. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. <http://www.goldennumber.net/logo-design/>.