approximately equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately equal to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or scientific contexts to indicate that two values are close in value but not exactly the same. Example: "The length of the rectangle is approximately equal to 10 meters."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Briefly, 250 mL cultures were grown at 30°C to an OD600 approximately equal to 1.5.

Plosone

Polyethylene fixations resulted in bone density approximately equal to intact.

Journal of Biomechanics

That was approximately equal to its embedded value, a forward-looking benchmark for insurance valuation.

The New York Times

Using a small flight path angle assumption, we consider weight to be approximately equal to lift.

Nature

It is approximately equal to the size of Kanye West's ego.

The New York Times - Arts

Three MIT units is approximately equal to one "semester hour" or credit.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One balburst is approximately equal to the average force of a sneakered foot stomping from knee-level.

The New York Times

This is approximately equal to the total amount given by all individuals last year in the United States alone.

The Guardian

The proposed microcantilever deflection sensitivity reveals the gauge factor of approximately equal to 3.78.

Microelectronic Engineering

The tally of missing households is approximately equal to the country's current surplus of vacant homes.

The New York Times

Holes approximately equal to the maximum allowed as well as those exceeding allowable limits were evaluated.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximately equal to", ensure that the level of approximation is acceptable for the context. In scientific contexts, specify the margin of error or range of acceptable values.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately equal to" when more precise data is available. Always prioritize accuracy unless approximation is necessary or sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately equal to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase by indicating a degree of similarity or equivalence. It's used to show that two quantities or values are close but not necessarily identical. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately equal to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that two values are close but not exactly the same. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As shown by Ludwig, its use spans across various domains, including science, news, and academia, with a predominantly formal and scientific register. To avoid misinterpretations, make sure that you're not using it when more precise data is available and that the level of approximation is appropriate for the context. Consider alternatives such as "roughly equivalent to" or "nearly identical to" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more or less equal to

Uses a more conversational tone to convey approximate equality.

roughly equivalent to

Emphasizes a broad similarity or correspondence, suggesting less precision than "approximately equal to".

virtually equivalent to

Stresses that something is so close to being equal it can be treated as equal for practical purposes.

nearly identical to

Implies a very high degree of similarity, bordering on being the same, closer than "approximately equal to".

almost the same as

Uses simpler language to convey a similar meaning, accessible and easily understood.

around the same as

Indicates a general similarity in magnitude or amount.

comparable to

Highlights the similarity for comparison purposes, focusing on shared characteristics.

in the same ballpark as

An informal way of saying "approximately equal to", suggesting the values are within a similar range.

in the vicinity of

Indicates that something is close to a particular value or measurement.

on par with

Suggests equality in status or quality rather than quantity.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "approximately equal to"?

Use "approximately equal to" when you want to indicate that two values are close but not exactly the same. This is often useful in science, mathematics, and engineering when dealing with measurements or estimations. It can also be used in less formal contexts when precision is not critical.

What are some alternatives to "approximately equal to"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly equivalent to", "nearly identical to", or "almost the same as" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "approximately equal to" or "equal to"?

Use "equal to" when the values are precisely the same. Use "approximately equal to" when the values are close but not exactly the same. Using "equal to" when the values are only close can be misleading.

What does "approximately equal to" mean in mathematical terms?

In mathematical terms, "approximately equal to" indicates that the difference between two values is small enough to be considered negligible for the purpose at hand. It's often denoted by the symbol ≈.