In predicate logic, universal quantification formalizes the notion that something (a logical predicate) is true for everything, or every relevant thing. It is usually denoted by the turned A (∀) logical operator symbol which is interpreted as "given any" or "for all", and which, when used together with a predicate variable, is called a universal quantifier. Universal quantification is distinct from existential quantification ("there exists"), which asserts that the property or relation holds for at least one member of the domain.
Quantification in general is covered in the article on quantification. Symbols are encoded U+2200 ∀ for all (HTML: ∀ ∀ as a mathematical symbol).
Read more about Universal Quantification: Basics, Universal Closure
Famous quotes containing the word universal:
“It is remarkable what a value is still put upon wood even in this age and in this new country, a value more permanent and universal than that of gold. After all our discoveries and inventions no man will go by a pile of wood. It is as precious to us as it was to our Saxon and Norman ancestors. If they made their bows of it, we make our gun-stocks of it.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)