equation

[ih-kwey-zhuh n, -shuh n] /ɪˈkweɪ ʒən, -ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of equating or making equal; equalization:
the symbolic equation of darkness with death.
2.
equally balanced state; equilibrium.
3.
Mathematics. an expression or a proposition, often algebraic, asserting the equality of two quantities.
4.
Also called chemical equation. Chemistry. a symbolic representation showing the kind and amount of the starting materials and products of a reaction.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin aequātiōn- (stem of aequātiō) an equalizing. See equate, -ion
Related forms
nonequation, noun
Examples from the web for equation
  • Italian mathematicians engaged in bitter feuds, challenging each other to solve ever more complicated equations.
  • And the local people are certainly left out of the equation.
  • In 1930, they created the concept to balance an equation that was not adding up.
  • That equation is patently incorrect.
  • Rental books have also been added to the equation.
  • This calculation became celebrated as the Drake equation—perhaps the best attempt so far to tame a wild guess.
  • Seem's like you're leaving Valor out of the equation.
  • The pull of romance is also soon part of Rumi's equation.
  • They can help frame our understanding but do not show causality; an equation is an identity after all.
  • But you're just a small part of a larger equation.
British Dictionary definitions for equation

equation

/ɪˈkweɪʒən; -ʃən/
noun
1.
a mathematical statement that two expressions are equal: it is either an identity in which the variables can assume any value, or a conditional equation in which the variables have only certain values (roots)
2.
the act of regarding as equal; equating
3.
the act of making equal or balanced; equalization
4.
a situation, esp one regarded as having a number of conflicting elements: what you want doesn't come into the equation
5.
the state of being equal, equivalent, or equally balanced
6.
a situation or problem in which a number of factors need to be considered
7.
See chemical equation
8.
(astronomy) See personal equation
Derived Forms
equational, adjective
equationally, adverb
Word Origin and History for equation
n.

late 14c., a term in astrology; meaning "action of making equal" is from 1650s; mathematical sense is from 1560s, on notion of equalizing the expressions; from Latin aequationem (nominative aequatio) "an equal distribution, community," from past participle stem of aequare (see equal (adj.)). Chemistry sense is from 1807.

equation in Medicine

equation e·qua·tion (ĭ-kwā'zhən, -shən)
n.

  1. A statement asserting the equality of two mathematical expressions, usually written as a linear array of symbols that are separated into left and right sides and are joined by an equal sign.

  2. A representation of a chemical reaction, usually written as a linear array in which the symbols and quantities of the reactants are separated from those of the products by an equal sign, an arrow, or a set of opposing arrows.

equation in Science
equation
  (ĭ-kwā'zhən)   

  1. Mathematics A written statement indicating the equality of two expressions. It consists of a sequence of symbols that is split into left and right sides joined by an equal sign. For example, 2 + 3 + 5 = 10 is an equation.

  2. Chemistry A written representation of a chemical reaction, in which the symbols and amounts of the reactants are separated from those of the products by an equal sign, arrow, or a set of opposing arrows. For example, Ca(OH)2 + H2SO4 = CaSO4 + 2H2O, is an equation.


equation in Culture

equation definition


An expression of equality between two formulas in mathematics. The two formulas are written with an equal sign between them: 2 + 2 = 4 is an equation, as is E = mc2.