What does the '~' symbol mean?

[Monkeyeatbutt]

What does "~" mean? I have a problem with it in there, but I don't know what it means, and I can't find it in my book.

Thanks

 

[pka]

Re: What does it mean

What does ~ mean?
I have a problem with it in there but i dont know what it means and I cant find it in my book.

That is too bad. Because only the text can give you the correct meaning as it uses it.
However, if I were to guess I would say it means 'similar to'.
If may also be used for ‘proportional to’.

 

[Monkeyeatbutt]

Ok well the problem says if triangle GHI ~ triangle JKL, Find thevalue of x


Id show you the triangles but every time I get them layed out and send they get smashed together

 

[pka]

From that context, ~ must surely mean similar to.
The x is some portionality constant.
Lookup 'similar triangles' in the textbook.

 

[Monkeyeatbutt]

Thanks