The asterisk symbol (*) in mathematics typically represents multiplication. For example, in an expression like 4 * 5, the asterisk indicates that you should multiply 4 by 5, which equals 20.
In older computing and programming languages, the asterisk has also been used to denote multiplication due to the absence of a multiplication sign. Additionally, it can sometimes represent a wildcard character in search queries, meaning it can substitute for any value or group of values.
In other contexts, the asterisk might have different meanings, like denoting a footnote in academic writing or indicating a special condition in functions. In set theory, it might also be used to denote the cardinality of a set. Overall, the specific meaning often depends on the context in which it is used.