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, but are dissimilar, i.e. different.

In order for something to be different, you must have something to compare it to.

In particular, difference may refer to:

• In mathematics, difference can mean
  • the result of subtraction
    • difference operator
    • finite 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)

Differenz | Différence | Difference