Difference
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2008-04-30T13:52:14Z
Da monster under your bed
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/206.166.83.50|206.166.83.50]] ([[User talk:206.166.83.50|talk]]) to last version by Peruvianllama
{{wiktionary|difference}}
'''Difference''' is the [[Antonym|contrary]] of [[equality (objects)|equality]], in particular of objects. Differences can only be stated on the basis of a [[wiktionary:Comparison|comparison]] or [[categorization]]. Since a complete comparison of objects or things is seldom possible in practice, only [[relevance|relevant]] or defining [[wikt:attribute|attribute]]s 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 (set theory)|complement]] and [[symmetric difference]]
** [[inequality]]
* '''Difference''' in [[computing]]: see [[delta encoding]]
* '''Difference''' on a [[coat of arms]]: see [[heraldry]]
* [[Different (song)]], a song by [[Acceptance (band)|Acceptance]]
==See also==
*[[Similarity]]
*[[Different ideal]]
{{disambig}}
[[de:Differenz]]
[[hu:Különbség]]
[[pt:Diferença]]
[[simple:Difference]]