Equals: meaning, definitions and examples

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equals

 

[ˈiːkwəlz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

mathematics

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Synonyms

equivalent, identical, same.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
equals

Also used in everyday language to denote fairness or the same level of importance, ability, or value.

  • All team members are equals and deserve equal recognition.
  • They treated each other as equals.
equivalent

Used to describe things that are considered equal in value, function, or meaning, though they might not be exactly the same in all aspects.

  • One dollar is equivalent to approximately ninety-two yen.
  • His role in the project is equivalent to that of a senior manager.
identical

Used when two or more items are exactly the same in every way, visually, or in function.

  • The twins were identical in appearance.
  • She wore an identical dress to the party.
same

Used to indicate that two or more things are one and the same, or not different in any aspect.

  • We have the same job title.
  • They arrived at the same time.

Examples of usage

  • The two sides of the equation are equals.
  • The final answer equals 10.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To be the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Synonyms

correspond, match, parallel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
equals

Typically used in mathematical or logical contexts to indicate that two values or expressions are the same.

  • Two plus two equals four.
  • In programming, '==' checks if the first variable equals the second variable.
match

Commonly used to indicate that one thing is the same as or very similar to another, especially in terms of appearance or characteristics.

  • Her eyes match the color of her dress.
  • These puzzle pieces match perfectly.
correspond

Used to suggest that something matches or agrees with something else, often in formal or written contexts.

  • The results correspond with our hypothesis.
  • Her actions did not correspond to her promises.
parallel

Used when two things are similar in a way that suggests a comparison, often implying that they run alongside each other without intersecting.

  • Their lives ran in parallel for many years.
  • The experiment showed parallel results to those conducted earlier.

Examples of usage

  • 2 + 2 equals 4.
  • His effort equals success.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • The symbol '=' is known as the equals sign and was introduced by Robert Recorde in 1557.
  • In algebra, equations show that two expressions are equal, allowing us to solve for unknown values.
  • In geometry, equal sides of a shape help define its properties, such as in equilateral triangles where all sides are the same length.

Philosophy

  • The concept of equality is central to many ethical theories, emphasizing fairness and justice among individuals.
  • John Locke argued that equal rights are inherent and must be respected for a just society.
  • Philosophers like Aristotle analyzed equality in terms of proportion, figuring out what it means for people to be treated the same.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'All men are created equal' is a famous quote from the Declaration of Independence, advocating for human rights.
  • In the world of gaming, balance in multiplayer games often refers to the idea that all characters or weapons should have equal strengths and weaknesses.
  • The phrase ‘equals’ often appears in songs and book titles, capturing themes of unity and shared experiences.

Science

  • In physics, the principle of conservation states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed, implying equal input and output.
  • In chemistry, a balanced equation means the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides, crucial for accurate reactions.
  • Equal and opposite reactions are seen in Newton's third law of motion, illustrating equality in forces.

Technology

  • In programming, equality operators compare values to check if they are the same, fostering logical decision-making in code.
  • The concept of equal access in technology advocates for ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to utilize tech resources.
  • Data equality in databases ensures that records across different tables are compared and treated as equal where applicable.

Translations

Translations of the word "equals" in other languages:

🇵🇹 igual

🇮🇳 बराबर

🇩🇪 gleich

🇮🇩 sama dengan

🇺🇦 дорівнює

🇵🇱 równa się

🇯🇵 等しい (ひとしい)

🇫🇷 égal

🇪🇸 igual

🇹🇷 eşittir

🇰🇷 같다

🇸🇦 يساوي

🇨🇿 rovná se

🇸🇰 rovná sa

🇨🇳 等于 (děngyú)

🇸🇮 enako

🇮🇸 jafngildir

🇰🇿 тең

🇬🇪 თანასწორია

🇦🇿 bərabərdir

🇲🇽 igual

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,815 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.