(

Left parenthesis

ASCII Code: 40•Category: brackets

The left parenthesis (() opens groupings in mathematical expressions, programming functions, and written clarifications, establishing hierarchical relationships and organizing complex information across academic, technical, and everyday contexts.

Technical Details

ASCII Code: 40
HTML Entity: (
Hexadecimal: 0x28
Binary: 00101000
Octal: 50

Usage & Examples

Programming

char symbol = '('; // ASCII 40

HTML/Web

( or (

Common Uses

bracketroundopenparenthesesgroupingmathprogrammingcitationclarification

How to Type This Character

Windows

Alt Code:

Hold Alt and type40 on numeric keypad

Character Map:

Search "Character Map" in Start menu

Mac

Character Viewer:

Press Ctrl +Cmd +Space

Copy & Paste:

Easiest method - copy from this page!

💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!

Related Characters

About the Left parenthesis

Mathematical Hierarchy

Fundamental to mathematical notation for establishing order of operations, grouping terms, and creating complex expressions. From basic arithmetic (2 + 3) × 4 to advanced calculus, parentheses ensure mathematical precision and eliminate ambiguity.

Programming Structure

Essential for function calls, method invocations, and conditional expressions in virtually all programming languages. Parentheses define parameter lists, group logical conditions, and structure code execution flow.

Textual Clarification

Provides additional information, explanations, or citations within written text without disrupting the main narrative flow. Enables writers to include supplementary details while maintaining readability and coherence.

Academic Formatting

Critical for citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) and scholarly writing to provide publication details, dates, and references. Parentheses maintain academic integrity while organizing bibliographic information.

History of the Left parenthesis

1500s

Mathematical Notation

Renaissance mathematicians standardized parentheses for grouping mathematical expressions, creating the algebraic conventions that enabled complex mathematical communication and calculation.

1600s

Scientific Writing

Scientific publications adopted parentheses for citations, explanations, and supplementary information, establishing academic writing conventions used across all scholarly disciplines.

1700s-1800s

Literary Development

Authors and publishers integrated parentheses into literary writing for character thoughts, narrative asides, and explanatory details, enriching textual expression and reader comprehension.

1940s-1950s

Programming Languages

Early computer languages like FORTRAN and LISP made parentheses central to programming syntax, establishing the foundation for modern software development and computational logic.

1990s-Present

Digital Communication

Internet protocols, programming frameworks, and data formats made parentheses ubiquitous in digital systems, from URL structures to JSON formatting and web development.

Cultural Impact

The left parenthesis became the universal opener of organized complexity, enabling precise mathematical calculation, sophisticated programming logic, and nuanced written communication across all fields of human knowledge.

Usage Examples

Mathematical Expressions

Example

(2 + 3) × 4 = 20, f(x) = (x² + 1), ∫(sin x + cos x)dx

Grouping operations and function notation in mathematics

Programming Functions

Example

console.log('Hello'), function add(a, b), if (x > 0 && y < 10)

Function calls, parameters, and conditional logic in code

Academic Citations

Example

Smith (2023) argues..., (see Figure 1), (p. 45), (Smith & Jones, 2022)

Scholarly citation formats and reference notation

Explanatory Text

Example

The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) announced... Paris (the capital of France)

Clarifications and additional information in written communication