Suppose you are friendly with identical twins. Are the twins equal or congruent? Why? Discuss the differences and similarities between congruence and equality. (Note: Some mathematicians think this is a controversial subject with no right answer.)

Question

turingtest · Answer

I am a non-mathematician who think this question has no real meaning, but I can certainly say that no two people are "equal" in any mathematical sense

anonymous · Answer

"Congruence (≅) is the state achieved by coming together, the state of agreement. The Latin congruō meaning “I meet together, I agree”. As an abstract term, congruence means similarity between objects. Congruence, as opposed to equivalence or approximation, is a relation which implies a kind of equivalence, though not complete equivalence." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congruence

anonymous · Answer

No two people can be 'equal', but they can be 'congruent' in the sense they are similar.