Re: notation for a=b

[graham <f.martellosio@xxxxxx>]
what is the most common notation amongst mathematicians to distinguish
between a=b, where a and b are entities already defined, and a=b to
define a (or b). I've encountered ':=' or '==' or = with a triangle
[...]

The ones I have most commonly seen are `:=', `=' with a
triangle on top, `=' with `def' written on top of it, and
`=' with three lines instead of two; although the latter is
sometimes used to denote congruence.

`:=' according to Carl de Boor has the advantage that it
indicates which side is the definition and which side is
being defined. It may therefore be inverted such: `=:'.

--
Pouya D. Tafti
p dot d dot tafti at ieee dot org
.

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