# How do I write semidirect product symbol “ ⋊ ”?

I am trying to write in a *.nb file the following syntax:

$G \rtimes H$ or $G \ltimes H$

• Write it out as "\:22c9" or "\:22ca" – Jason B. Mar 12 '18 at 20:27
• @JasonB. Doesn't work for me (Windows 10). – Sjoerd C. de Vries Mar 12 '18 at 22:10
• @SjoerdC.deVries Works in v10.4 and v11.1 under Linux. – corey979 Mar 12 '18 at 22:15

Please be aware that these characters are not regarded as an operator but as part of the symbol. So if you use it in code and don't put a space between it, it will be one symbol

Head[G⋊H]
(* Symbol *)


If you put a space between it, then it will be regarded as the normal product between 3 variables

FullForm[G ⋊ H]
(* Times[\:22ca,G,H] *)


If you simply want to write it in a text cell, I guess it is easier if you assign a shortcut to it. Search this site for InputAliases to learn more about this:

SetOptions[SelectedNotebook[], InputAliases -> {"spl" -> "⋉", "spr" -> "⋊"}]


Then you can use Esc+spl+Esc or Esc+spr+Esc to type them.