I am wondering if there is a mathematical symbol which indicates that a value is slightly greater than, or slightly less than, another value. I know there is a symbol which indicates that a value is much greater than, or much less than, another value:
$$a\gg b \qquad\text{or}\qquad a\ll b$$
I am wondering if there is a counterpart to this, which indicates:
$$a\,\text{ is slightly greater than }\, b \qquad\text{or}\qquad a \,\text{ is slightly less than }\, b$$
Best Answer
More often it is used as $b=a+\epsilon$ where $\epsilon$ normally stands for a small positive quantity. That provides b slightly greater than a. Similarly $-\epsilon$ for slightly below.