'Difference' is the
contrary of
equality, in particular of objects. Differences can only be stated on the basis of a
comparison or
categorization. Since a complete comparison of objects or things is seldom possible in practice, only
relevant or defining
attributes are used for stating equality or difference.
Similar objects are only 'different' with respect to attributes of minor
discriminative value.
In order for something to be different, you must have something to compare it to.
In particular, difference can refer to:
★ In Philosophy,
Differance
★ In mathematics, ''difference'' always means
★
★ the
result of
subtraction
★
★
★
difference operator
★
★
★
finite difference
★
★
★
percent difference
★
★ difference in
set theory: see
complement and
symmetric difference
★
★
inequality
★ 'Difference' in
computing: see
delta encoding
★ 'Difference' on a
coat of arms: see
heraldry
See also
★
Similarity (mathematics)
★
Similarity (psychology)