Compare the possible meanings
| Notation | Typical meaning | How to identify it |
|---|---|---|
≈ | Approximately equal | Numerical approximation |
∼ | Similar, distributed as, asymptotic | Field dependent |
≅ | Congruent or isomorphic | Geometry or algebra |
≃ | Asymptotically or structurally equivalent | Convention dependent |
Examples
- π≈3.14159.
- X∼N(0,1) means X is distributed normally.
- Two triangles may be marked congruent with ≅.
How to decide
Use ≈ for ordinary numerical rounding; use another symbol only after stating or following the field convention.
How to verify the interpretation
Read the statement aloud using the intended relation and check a trusted definition for that subject.