Because in LaTeX (\because)

Where it is used

Three dots forming an inverted triangle, read because or since, introducing a reason.

\because introduces a justification, typically in step-by-step school solutions: \angle A = \angle B \quad \because AB = AC. It is the mirror of \therefore, with the single dot at the bottom. Formal writing usually spells out since or uses a text annotation like \text{(by Lemma 2)}. As a relation symbol it has spacing on either side, and \quad or \qquad before it separates the reason from the equation. Use it sparingly in papers. In proofs, writing the reason in words is usually kinder to readers.

Minimal compilable example

Paste this into an empty .tex file and compile it with pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
Because: $\because$

\[ \angle B = \angle C \quad \because AB = AC \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Contradiction (falsum, bottom)\bot
• Therefore\therefore
• Tautology (verum, top)\top
• Models\models
• Square\square
• Proves\vdash

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Because in LaTeX?

Type \because in math mode, for example $\angle B = \angle C \quad \because AB = AC$. Load amssymb first with \usepackage{amssymb}.

Which package do I need for \because?

\because needs amssymb: add \usepackage{amssymb} to your preamble before the document starts.

Can I use \because in text mode, or only in math mode?

Only in math mode. Outside $...$ LaTeX stops with "Missing $ inserted", so write $\because$ in running text. If you only need the glyph in text, paste the Unicode character ∵ instead (with XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX and a font that has it).