$a == $b is 1, which is obviously not equal to 5. As was recommended, grep's probably the way to go. Or 

$h{$_}++ for( $a, $b, $c );
if( $h{$a} == 3 ) { ... }

[download]

Update: Just as a clarification, that hash trick will only work for things that stringify to the same thing. So for example if $b = "5 ", it wouldn't work (even though 5 == "5 " is true).

In reply to Re: Can If-then conditions do ($a = $b = $c) type expressions? by Fletch
in thread Can If-then conditions do ($a = $b = $c) type expressions? by snafu

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