In a math problem instead of using a = sign they use 2 ~ wavy lines what does that mean?

Question

In a math problem instead of using a = sign they use 2 ~ wavy lines what does that mean?

Answer 1

Or just: approximately

Normally used when there is a large number of decimal places in a number and you round them off.

Sometimes used in rounding off any number.

Answer 2

approximatly =to

a poor answer

like saying 2.41414141414 squared is 5

all symbols found here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_ma...

Answer 3

Approximately equal to.  Like you'd use it between π ≈ 3.14.

Answer 4

An approximation