﻿ Equal Sign: The equals sign is the symbol =, meaning the expressions on each side of the equal sign have the same value.

Equal Sign

Pronunciation: /ˈikwəl saɪn/ ?

The equal sign is the symbol '='.[1] The equal sign is used to indicate that the expressions on each side of the equal sign have exactly the same value.

The equation 3 + x = 2x states that the expression 3 + x has the same value as the expression 2x.

This equality relationship can be used to conclude that x = 3.


  1. equal sign. merriam-webster.com. Encyclopedia Britannica. (Accessed: 2010-01-25). http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equal sign.
  2. Keigwin, H. W.. Principles of Elementary Algebra, pg 5. Ginn & Company, 1886. (Accessed: 2010-01-12). http://www.archive.org/stream/principlesofelem00dupurich#page/5/mode/1up/search/equality.

Cite this article as:

Equal Sign. 2008-07-15. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/e/equalsign.html.


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Revision History

2010-01-25: Added "References" (McAdams, David.)
2008-07-15: Minor clarification edits (McAdams, David.)
2008-02-04: Corrected spelling error and changed javascript keyword to href (McAdams, David.)
2007-08-02: Initial version (McAdams, David.)
