In mathematical notation, ordered set operators indicate whether an object precedes or succeeds another. These relationship operators are denoted by the unicode symbols U+227A-F, along with symbols located unicode blocks U+228x through U+22Ex.

• The relationship x precedes y is written x ≺ y. The relation x precedes or is equal to y is written x ≼ y.
• The relationship x succeeds (or follows) y is written x ≻ y. The relation x succeeds or is equal to y is written x ≽ y.^{[citation needed]}

In Political science and Decision theory, order relations are typically used in the context of an agent's choice, for example the preferences of a voter over several political candidates.

• x ≺ y means that the voter prefers candidate y over candidate x.
• x ~ y means the voter is indifferent between candidates x and y.
• x ≲ y means the voter is indifferent or prefers candidate y.^[1]

• Glossary of mathematical symbols
• Order theory
• Partially ordered set
• Directional symbols
• Polynomial-time reduction