What does the output of an exclusive-NOR (XNOR) gate signify when both inputs are different?

An exclusive-NOR (XNOR) gate is a digital logic gate that outputs true or high (1) when its inputs are the same and false or low (0) when its inputs are different. In the case where both inputs to the XNOR gate are different, the conditions do not meet the requirement for a high output. Instead, the XNOR gate will produce a low output, which is represented as 0.

This characteristic is fundamental to how an XNOR gate functions in digital circuits, as it effectively serves as a comparator that outputs a signal indicating whether two multiple binary signals are equivalent. Thus, when both inputs are different, the output clearly and consistently signifies this by producing a 0.