- An example of an equation is 2+2 = 3+1.
- An example of equation is when you factor in both money and enjoyment for your job in deciding whether to take a new job.
Equation is defined as the state of being equal and is often shown as a math expression with equal values on either side, or refers to a problem where many things need to be taken into account.
equation
- the act of equating; equalization
- the state of being equated; equality, equivalence, or balance; also, identification or association
- a complex whole: the human equation
- an element in a complex whole
- a statement of equality between two quantities, as shown by the equal sign (=): a quadratic equation
- an expression in which symbols and formulas are used to represent a balanced chemical reaction (Ex.: HSO + 2NaCl = 2HCl + NaSO)
Origin of equation
Middle English equacioun ; from Classical Latin aequatioequation
noun
- The act or process of equating or of being equated.
- The state of being equal.
- Mathematics A statement asserting the equality of two expressions, usually written as a linear array of symbols that are separated into left and right sides and joined by an equal sign.
- Chemistry 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 arrow or a set of opposing arrows.
- A complex of variable elements or factors: “The world was full of equations &ellipsis; there must be an answer for everything, if only you knew how to set forth the questions” (Anne Tyler).
Related Forms:
- e·qua′tion·al
adjective
- e·qua′tion·al·ly
adverb
equation
Noun
(plural equations)
- (mathematics) An assertion that two expressions are equal, expressed by writing the two expressions separated by an equal sign; from which one is to determine a particular quantity.
- (astronomy) A small correction to observed values to remove the effects of systematic errors in an observation.
Origin
See also: équationFrom Old French, from Latin aequātiō (“an equalizing”).
equation - Computer Definition
An arithmetic expression that equates one set of conditions to another; for example, A = B + C. In a programming language, assignment statements take the form of an equation. The above example assigns the sum of B and C to the variable A.
