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I have stumbled twice across this symbol || being used in the analysis of transistor circuits.

An example can be seen at this address: http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Dc-analysis-of-a-bipolar-junction-transistor-circuit

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I can understand it: x||y = (xy)/(x+y)

But what is it called and why is it used? Because I do not know the name, I was unable to find anything with a search. "Double vertical line transistor circuit analysis" didn't return any results.

user3728501
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It's shorthand for "in parallel with", though I've never seen it used before and it's certainly not an accepted mathematical operator.

In many programming languages that would be a logical OR operator.

Finbarr
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  • I think i first came across the notation in some TI literature about opamps, no idea where it comes from though. – Colin Jun 12 '19 at 11:01
  • When I first encountered it I thought it was an or operator, but couldn't understand what the meant in the context of a circuit. It makes sense that it means "parallel". I guess this isn't a standard notation then? – user3728501 Jun 12 '19 at 11:16
  • Actually, does that make sense? Working through the content on that webpage I find myself completely confused. What does `Rb` refer to? – user3728501 Jun 12 '19 at 11:22
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    The **parallel operator** || is a **mathematical function** which is used especially as shorthand in electrical engineering. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_(operator) – Huisman Jun 12 '19 at 11:52
  • I have used it for as long as I can remember (~30 yrs). But it is a human shorthand, I don't know of any programming languages that recognize it as parallel. – Mattman944 Jun 12 '19 at 13:09
  • A quick Google search for "parallel operator" suggests that it's a long way from being universally recognised. – Finbarr Jun 12 '19 at 13:10