What is n with squiggle?

n often represents an approximation or an "on the order of" quantity. It indicates that a value is not exact but is close to the given value. It is often used in mathematics, physics, and engineering to provide estimates or rough calculations. The mathematical symbol, often called a tilde, shows a relationship that is not precise equality, but rather a similar or approximate equivalence. For example, if you state that the length of a object is ~10 cm, this shows that the length is approximately 10 cm. This is frequently used when the exact value is unimportant. You can also use n when the exact value is not known but you know that it is close to a number n.

The meaning and usage of this symbol, and approximate equivalence can be found in the following concepts:

• Approximation
• Estimation
• Asymptotic%20Analysis