20×

Twenty times, written as 20×, is a multiplicative factor indicating that a quantity is multiplied by twenty. The symbol ×, called the times sign, is widely used in mathematics and related fields to denote multiplication. When paired with a second quantity, 20× expresses a product, for example 20×5 = 100 or 20×3 cm = 60 cm. On its own, 20× is a factor and requires a corresponding quantity to produce a concrete value.

In practical contexts, 20× is often used as a scaling or magnification factor. For instance, in optics and microscopy, a 20× objective lens yields a magnification of twenty times the reference image, and in data or performance language, statements like “20× faster” describe a twentyfold increase relative to a baseline.

The symbol × has a long history in printed mathematics as a conventional sign for multiplication. Its precise origins are unclear, but it became a standard notation in Western mathematical typography during the early modern period and remains common in education, publishing, and technical writing. Some styles and regions prefer alternatives such as a centered dot or the word “by” to indicate multiplication, but the × symbol remains widely understood.

In summary, 20× denotes a twentyfold multiplier. Its meaning depends on the accompanying quantity or context, and it is most often read as “twenty times” or “twentyfold.”