How to type the three dots in a product?

Question

I have to type the product of $n$ variables, $x_1\cdot\ldots\cdot x_n$. Although maybe this is semantically the right way (like it is for the sum), it doesn't look very well. What should be, typographically, a better way to do it?

For example:

Just the ldots as in $x_1\ldots x_n$ is confusing when there are going to be also lists of the variables separated by commas in nearby sentences.

With \dotsc like in $x_1\dotsc x_n$ maybe, but is there a better idea?

Answer 1

Use \cdots. (See also: \vdots and \ddots.)

EDIT: Actually, I just read in the «Short Math Guide for LaTeX» by the AMS that:

• \dotsc is for dots with commas,
• \dotsb is for dots with binary operators,
• \dotsm is for multiplication dots,
• \dotsi is for dots with integrals,
• \dotso is for other dots.

So \cdots and \ldots are commonly used but the AMS convention is to use the more semantic commands.

Answer 2

Or you can use \dots which can be used both inside and outside of math-mode.