Approximately But Not Actually Equal To Symbol
≆ means “approximately but not actually equal to.”
U+2246
The symbol ≆ (U+2246) expresses an approximate equality while emphasizing it is not exact. It’s common in mathematical writing, typesetting, and technical notes where precision matters.
Approximately But Not Actually Equal To Symbol Meaning
≆ is read as “approximately but not actually equal to.” Unlike a strict equals sign, it signals that two quantities are close (or an estimate is being used), but they should not be treated as exactly the same. This is useful when approximations, measured values, or heuristic results are involved. In plain text, the meaning is often conveyed by phrases like “about,” “approximately,” or “roughly,” combined with the idea that exact equality does not hold. In math and technical documents, using ≆ helps readers interpret comparisons correctly, especially when rounding or estimation is present.
Common uses
- •Stating that two measured or computed values are close, but not exactly equal
- •Noting rounded constants or approximations in equations and estimates
- •Indicating tolerance in comparisons (e.g., “approximately the same within limits”)
- •Writing clearly in technical notes where “almost equal” must not imply exact equality
- •Labeling approximate results in reports, worksheets, or problem statements
Examples
≆ Approximately but not actually equal to
- ≆Temperature ≆ 25°C (estimated from readings).
- ≆sin(x) ≆ x for small x (approximation).
- ≆The value 3.14 ≆ π (rounded).
- ≆Area A ≆ 12.0 m² using an estimate, not exact measurement.
- ≆y ≆ f(x) when x is near x₀.
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+2246 | |
| HTML Entity | ≆ | |
| HTML Code | ≆ | |
| CSS | \2246 |
FAQ
What does ≆ mean in math?
≆ means “approximately but not actually equal to,” indicating closeness without exact equality.
Is ≆ the same as ≈?
Not exactly. ≈ generally indicates approximate equality, while ≆ emphasizes that it is not actually equal.
How do I copy ≆ into code or HTML?
Use HTML entity ≆ or CSS escape \\2246, depending on your context.
What is the Unicode code point for ≆?
The Unicode code point is U+2246.