Addition in LaTeX (+)

Where it is used

Adds two quantities; the binary plus sign, also used as a unary sign for positive numbers.

Typing + in math mode gives a binary operator, so TeX places a medium space on each side automatically, as in a + b. When the plus starts an expression or follows another operator or a relation, as in -(+3) or x = +1, TeX treats it as unary and drops the space. In a multline or split equation that breaks before a plus, write {}+ at the start of the continuation line to restore binary spacing. For a superscript plus, as in the ion Na^+ or the set \mathbb{R}^+, no braces are needed. Avoid \oplus unless you mean a direct sum or XOR, which is a different symbol.

Minimal compilable example

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

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Addition: $+$

\[ (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Subtraction-
• Multiplication\times
• Division\div
• Fraction\frac{a}{b}
• Square Root\sqrt{x}
• N-th Root\sqrt[n]{x}

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Addition in LaTeX?

Type + in math mode, for example $(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2$. It works in plain LaTeX without loading any package.

Which package do I need for +?

None. + is part of standard LaTeX, so it compiles with nothing in the preamble but the document class.

Can I use + in text mode, or only in math mode?

Both. + compiles in running text as well as inside $...$; in a formula keep it in math mode so it gets math fonts and spacing.