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I was wondering if anyone knew how to draw 3 dots in a matrix that go in a diagonal way usually to represent that element flow similarily in the slots. I know there's one that goes in the bottom right corner. But is there one that goes in the bottom left?

Werner
  • 603,163

2 Answers2

115

For a good source to math symbols, I think the Comprehensive LaTeX symbol list is a complement to the very good document Mathmode.pdf. This document is interesting because it offers another organization and you can find all about mathematics.

enter image description here

Stefan Pinnow
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Alain Matthes
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33

The MnSymbol package provides \udots that prints 3 dots going from NE to SW; in the opposite direction of \ddots which goes from NW to SE.

Similar dots are provided by \iddots from mathdots and \adots from yhmath. See p 60 of the Comprehensive LaTeX symbol list. You could also use \reflectbox{<stuff>} from the graphicx package to reflect something about the vertical axis.

Here's a brief overview:

enter image description here

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}% http://ctan.org/pkg/graphicx
\usepackage{yhmath}% http://ctan.org/pkg/yhmath
\usepackage{mathdots}% http://ctan.org/pkg/mathdots
\usepackage{MnSymbol}% http://ctan.org/pkg/mnsymbol
\begin{document}
Different versions of diagonal dots:

$\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}%
  \begin{array}{ll}
    \verb!\ddots! & \ddots \\
    \verb!\udots! & \udots \\
    \verb!\iddots! & \iddots \\
    \verb!\adots! & \adots \\
    \verb!\reflectbox{$\ddots$}! & \reflectbox{$\ddots$}
  \end{array}
$
\end{document}

In addition to the above source of LaTeX symbols, Detexify is also a fast way to identify symbols in LaTeX. Remember to "Select from the complete list!" if you don't see your symbol immediately, since the scoring algorithm may be off, depending on the symbol (or one's drawing prowess).

Moriambar
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Werner
  • 603,163
  • 1
    Do not use MnSymbol if you don't want to change the math fonts globally. MnSymbol is often overused. And note that yhmath is mainly designed for CM (or LM) fonts. mathdots and yhmath are both acceptble in most cases. – Leo Liu Oct 21 '11 at 07:01
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    \ddots doesn't need any packages. Nor does \vdots – Seamus Oct 21 '11 at 07:18
  • @LeoLiu: Is it necessary to change math fonts globally in order to use the mnsymbol package? That's not something I've experienced so far... – Mico Oct 21 '11 at 19:35
  • @Mico: It is a little strange to use it with CM/LM fonts. This is explained at the beginning of the document of mnsymbol: “MnSymbol is a font of mathematical symbols designed as companion to Adobe MinionPro, but it might also fit well to other renaissance or baroque faces.” – Leo Liu Oct 22 '11 at 03:30