# difference between * and &; for example 101 * 101 and 101 & 101 ?

##### Junior Member
so "and" isn't multiplication ? if so, then it's something new for me... I always say and and multiplication is the same term...

#### Harry_the_cat

##### Full Member
In basic probability we sometimes use the word "and" to indicate multiplication and "or" to indicate addition, but a lot of care must be taken when doing so.

Oranges

7 or 12 ??

7

#### Harry_the_cat

##### Full Member
So "and" doesn't mean multiply!

#### ksdhart2

##### Full Member
The difference between the symbols "*" and "&" depends entirely on what context we're operating in. In our usual mathematics, the asterisk () means multiplication. But in Boolean Algebra, an asterisk is sometimes used as a substitute for the logical and operator ($$\displaystyle \wedge$$), such that $$\displaystyle \text{TRUE} * \text{FALSE} = \text{TRUE} \wedge \text{FALSE} = \text{FALSE}$$.

In some programming languages, such as Javascript, the ampersand (&) operator is defined as the "bitwise and" operator which "returns a 1 in each bit position for which the corresponding bits of both operands are 1s." For example, $$\displaystyle 5 \: \& \: 13 = 5$$ because 5 is 0101 in binary and 13 is 1101 in binary and $$\displaystyle 0101 \: \& \: 1101 = 0101$$.

In other contexts, each of these symbols may have other, alternate meanings. Some meanings are more "standard" than others, but it all depends on what the author wants them to mean.

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#### Jomo

##### Elite Member
Along the line of what Harry the Cat asked what is 4 and 5? AFTER you get your answer think if YOU added or multiplied.