Symbol to Break Steps to Solve Equation Apart in the Same Line?

Question

Is there a symbol for solving an equation that breaks each step? Usually this is done as a new line, like the following:

4x + 2 = 5
    4x = 3
     x = 3/4

I'm looking for a universal symbol that could change the above to look like this:

4x + 2 = 5 [SYMBOL] 4x = 3 [SYMBOL] x = 3/4

I've asked several math teachers throughout the years in school and none knew the answer.

Would a ; (semicolon) be correct? I know "equations" (lines) in programming languages end in semicolons. — Keavon, Sep 10 '13 at 04:21
No. You need to use something that makes clear the connection of one statement to the next, and a semicolon doesn’t. — Brian M. Scott, Sep 10 '13 at 04:23

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 10 '13 at 04:17

There is no such symbol in general, though in some cases $\iff$ or $\text{iff}$ (meaning if and only if) are technically correct. In general, however, it’s preferable to use words:

$4x+2=5$, so $4x=5-2=3$, and therefore $x=\frac34$.

In general you should think of a mathematical argument as a piece of expository prose, and you should use enough linking expressions to make the flow of the argument clear.

Symbol to Break Steps to Solve Equation Apart in the Same Line?

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