How to Type a Backwards 3 (Easy, 1-Step)

If you’re looking for how to type a backward 3 (also known as a flipped 3 or reversed 3) – Ɛ – then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll show you how to type a backward 3 in just one easy step.

Table of Contents

Copy-Paste Backward 3

The easiest way is to simply copy-paste below:

Alt Code Backward 3

There’s also the Alt Code option, available on Windows, which is:

Type 0190 and press ALT-X

This will convert it into reverse E or “Ɛ” symbol.

Other Methods of Typing a Backward 3

We’ll cover a couple alternative methods.

Microsoft Word document

One method is to open a Microsoft Word document:

Select Arial or Times New Roman font.
Click on the Insert tab at the top of the document.
Click on symbols
Scroll up and down to find the similar symbol to backward 3 or Ɛ

Then you’ll be able to type it.

Google Doc

The Google Doc method is good for Mac because the Alt Code option isn’t available on Mac, nor is there any computer shortcut.

Open Google Docs
Click on the Insert tab at the top of the document
Click on the special symbol option (a new window will pop up)
Search for the backward 3 / epsilon / Ɛ symbol from the available list. There are many symbols to choose from, so look carefully. Once located, you should be able to type and use it on your screen.

How to type the backward 3 on iPhone

There is no flipped 3 symbol on iPhone so you’ll have to copy-paste:

How to type the backward 3 on Android

Like iPhone, there’s no reversed 3 symbol on Android, so you’ll have to copy-paste from below:

What does a backward 3 with a line in it mean?

This is an ampersand (&), which is often drawn like a reversed 3 with a line down the middle.

This is a shorthand for “and” and will be seen occasionally and for stylistic purposes, such as Ben & Jerry’s.

Why is a backward 3 used?

A flipped 3 is often used to make a heart – <3 – but using a greater than “>” sign preceded by a reversed 3 – Ɛ>.

There are other reasons, as well, as we’ll cover below:

Backward 3 in academia (math, physics, sciences)

Backward 3 is known as epsilon in mathematical and scientific notation.

It is the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet and used to represent various constants in mathematical equations, such as a small quantity or a very close value to zero.

The lowercase epsilon symbol (ɛ) is often used in calculus and physics to represent an infinitesimally small change in something.

In set theory, backward 3 is used to denote the empty set: Ɛ = {}. In other words, it’s a set with no elements. It is often known as variant epsilon.

In statistics, epsilon is often used as an error term, which is typically a small number.

What is Epsilon? Explain Epsilon, Define Epsilon, Meaning of Epsilon

Backward 3 in astrology/astronomy

The name “Epsilon Tauri” comes from the Greek letter ε (epsilon), which is used to designate it as the third-brightest star in the constellation of Taurus.

Backward 3 in business/economics

In business and economics, epsilon is often used as a measure of risk. It is also sometimes used to represent market share or brand equity.

For example, if Company A has a market share of 10% and Company B has a market share of 20%, then we can say that Company B has twice the market share of Company A, or B:A = 2:1.

Backward 3 is also sometimes used to refer to the “80/20 Rule” or the “Pareto Principle,” which states that 80% of outcomes (or results) come from 20% of causes (or inputs).

In other words, a small number of inputs or factors are responsible for the majority of outputs or results.

The Pareto Principle is named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who first observed that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.

This principle can be applied to many different areas, such as business, economics, health, productivity, and more.

Q&A – Backward 3

What is a backward 3 called?

A backward 3 is often called a reversed 3 or flipped 3. In some contexts, particularly in mathematics, it can resemble the Greek letter epsilon (ε), though epsilon is not a direct equivalent. The backward 3 does not have a specific name in the standard alphabet or numeral system.

What does a backward 3 mean?

In different contexts, a backward 3 can have various meanings:

Math: There’s no standard mathematical function for a backward 3, but it can be used informally to represent the Greek letter epsilon (ε) in certain contexts.
Science: In physics and engineering, the lowercase epsilon (ε) represents permittivity or strain, depending on the context.
Heart Symbol: Socially, a backward 3 is often used to represent a heart in text messages or online, especially when combined with the less than symbol (<), as in “<3” to symbolize a heart or love.

Where is the backward 3 on the keyboard?

The backward 3 is not a standard key on keyboards. It’s not directly available on standard QWERTY keyboards, whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or any other operating system.

Why do people use a backward 3?

People use a backward 3 primarily in informal contexts for creative or expressive purposes. The most common usage is to create a text-based heart symbol (“<3”) in messages and social media to express love or affection. It may also be used in stylized writing or as a part of specific coding and notation systems in mathematics or science to represent certain symbols or Greek letters like epsilon.

How to type a backward 3 on Windows?

To type a character that resembles a backward 3 on Windows, you might use the Greek letter epsilon or a similar symbol. One way to insert such characters is by using the Character Map application to find and copy the epsilon symbol (ε) or by using a specific Unicode code with the Alt key:

Open Character Map, select the Greek character set, find the epsilon (ε), and copy-paste it.
Alternatively, you can type specific characters using their Unicode code. For the epsilon symbol, you can use the Alt code (Alt+238 on the numeric keypad for ε in some fonts).

How to type a backward 3 on Mac?

On a Mac, you can use the Character Viewer to insert a Greek letter epsilon that resembles a backward 3:

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer.
Search for “epsilon” and choose the Greek letter ε to insert it into your text.

How to insert a backward 3 in Word?

In Microsoft Word, you can insert a symbol that resembles a backward 3, such as the Greek letter epsilon, by using the Symbol insertion tool:

Go to the “Insert” tab.
Click on “Symbol” > “More Symbols.”
Choose the “Greek and Coptic” character set.
Select the epsilon symbol (ε) and click “Insert.”

How to type a backward 3 on my phone?

On both iPhone and Android devices, you can type a character that resembles a backward 3, such as the Greek letter epsilon, by using the built-in keyboard features:

iPhone: Add the Greek keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. Then, switch to the Greek keyboard and find the epsilon (ε) letter.
Android: The process is similar; add the Greek language to your keyboard settings, and then switch to the Greek keyboard to type epsilon (ε).

What is the difference between a backward 3 and a regular 3?

A backward 3 is a mirrored or reversed version of the standard numeral 3. While the regular 3 curves to the right, a backward 3 curves to the left. They are visually opposite, but there’s no standard backward 3 character in typical fonts or character sets, with the Greek letter epsilon sometimes used as a substitute in certain contexts.

Is there a backward 3 emoji?

There is no specific emoji that is designed to represent a backward 3. However, the heart emoji (<3) is commonly used to convey the sentiment often expressed with a textual “<3” symbol.

How did the backward 3 become a heart symbol?

The backward 3 became associated with the heart symbol through the use of “<3” in text-based communication. The combination of the less than sign “<” and the numeral 3 visually resembles a heart when turned sideways. This shorthand became popular in the early days of internet chat rooms, instant messaging, and text messaging as a quick and easy way to convey affection or love. Its usage spread widely with the growth of digital communication, becoming a universally recognized symbol for the heart.

Are there other symbols that look like a backward 3?

While there’s no direct standard keyboard symbol that looks exactly like a backward 3, there are a few characters in different alphabets or symbol sets that somewhat resemble a reversed 3, including:

The Greek letter epsilon (ε) in certain fonts.
The Cyrillic letter Ze (З, з) in uppercase and lowercase, which looks like a 3 but is not backward.
The Arabic numeral ٣ (3) in some styles and contexts, which may appear reversed depending on the font and writing direction.

What is an epsilon in math?

In mathematics, epsilon (ε) is a symbol used to represent a very small quantity, nearly zero, in limits and calculus. It is often used in proofs and equations to denote an arbitrarily small positive number that approaches zero but never reaches it. Epsilon is crucial in the formal definitions of limits, continuity, and in the epsilon-delta definition of a limit.

What is epsilon used for in physics?

In physics, the symbol epsilon is used to represent several different concepts, depending on the context:

The permittivity of a medium (ε), which describes how much electric field is allowed to pass through a material.
The strain in materials science, representing the degree of deformation of a material in response to an applied force.
In other contexts, it can also represent small quantities or variables in equations and theoretical physics.

Other than a heart, what are creative ways to use the backward 3?

Beyond representing a heart symbol, creative uses for the backward 3 or symbols resembling it might include:

Stylized writing or artwork, where letters and numbers are flipped or mirrored for effect.
In mathematics and physics, using epsilon (ε) for various specialized purposes as previously described.
Coding and programming, where specific symbols might have unique functions or represent certain values.
Puzzles or games, where the orientation or appearance of numbers and letters can be part of the challenge or aesthetic.

These examples show how symbols, even those as simple as a backward 3, can be repurposed and interpreted in a multitude of creative and functional ways across different fields and forms of communication.