what does := mean in a problem?

Answer 1

Hi,

If I understand you correctly, the two dots are above the equals sign [or at least one of them]. Therefore, this is the symbol for "approximately equal to".

I hope that helps you out! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Sincerely,

Andrew

Answer 2

In many computer languages, this is the replacement operator. The expression on the right hand side of the operator is evaluated and is stored in the variable on the left, in effect forcing the left side to be equal to the right side. In older computer programs, you often saw expressions like
A := A + 1
which means take whatever value is in the storage location representing variable A, add 1 to it, and store it back into the location for variable A.

Answer 3

This is primarily used in computer programming, and it normally means that a variable is set equal to some value. It can also mean that an expression is being defined as having a certain value, which is more commonly shown using what appears to be an equals sign except that it has three bars instead of two.

Answer 4

There are two answers, both already given above. One use is in some computer languages as the assignment operator, and the other use is in mathematical writing to specify a definition.

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The symbol := originated in the computer programming language Algol, created in the late 1950's and standardized in 1960, as Algol60. It was the assignment operator, which assigned a value to a variable, as in
x := 2*y + 3;
This instructed the computer to calculate the value of 2*y + 3, and assign that value to x.

The symbol was created to eliminate the double usage of the equal sign =, which in the slightly earlier language Fortran served both as an assignment operator, and a relational operator in boolean conditions as in
if x = 3 then ....

Other later languages like Pascal, Modula, and Ada also used :=

C, C++, and Java reverted to = for the assignment operator, and used a double equal == for the boolean relational operator, resulting in untold zillions of computer programmer errors.

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The second usage of := as already mentioned by somebody else above, was by mathematicians, using it to indicate a definition, as in
Let f(x) := x^2 + 1
This would be given at the first introduction of f(x), and establishes the meaning of it.

Answer 5

well ":" means is to (like apple:orange........)
and = means equals

is to equals
=2=
2=2


it means

It is, what it is.

Answer 6

a:=b
a is defined as b. or definition of a is b.