Definition:Equals

Definition
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 $$y$$.

The expression:
 * $$a = b$$

means:
 * $$a$$ and $$b$$ are names for the same object.

Equality
The word equality is the noun derived from the verb equals.

Historical Note
The equals sign was introduced by Robert Recorde in about 1557.

Placing two hyphens together, one above the other, he wrote:
 * "Noe 2 thynges can be moare equalle."