Definition:Equals

The symbol $$=$$ means "equals".

$$x = y$$ means "$$x$$ is the same object as $$y$$", and is read "$$x$$ equals $$y$$", or "$$x$$ is equal to $$y$$".

$$x \ne y$$ means "$$x$$ is not the same object as $$y$$", and is read "$$x$$ is not equal to $$y$$".