What operation does the symbol '=' commonly represent in mathematics?

The symbol '=' in mathematics is used to denote equivalence between two expressions. This means that the two sides of the equation represent the same quantity or value. For example, in the equation 3 + 2 = 5, the left side (3 + 2) is equivalent to the right side (5), demonstrating that both sides yield the same result.

Equivalence is a fundamental concept in mathematics, as it underlies the structure of equations and is crucial for solving mathematical problems. When we establish that two expressions are equal, we can manipulate them in various ways to explore their relationships or find unknown values.

The other options represent different relational or operational symbols but do not define the function of the '=' symbol. Greater than and less than refer to comparisons rather than equivalence, while division is a specific operation rather than a statement of equality. Thus, the use of '=' clearly conveys the idea of equivalence, making it the correct identification for the symbol in question.