equation

[ ih-kwey-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

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 chem·i·cal e·qua·tion [kem, -i-k, uh, l i-, kwey, -zh, uh, n, -sh, uh, n]. Chemistry. a symbolic representation showing the kind and amount of the starting materials and products of a reaction.

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
   See chemical equation
8. See personal equation
   astronomy See personal equation

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 + H 2 SO 4 = CaSO 4 + 2H 2 O, is an equation.

Derived Forms

• eˈquationally, adverb
• eˈquational, adjective

Other Words From

• non·e·qua·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of equation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin aequātiōn- (stem of aequātiō ) an equalizing. See equate, -ion

Example Sentences

Perhaps, like Hawking searching for his elegant equation, filmmakers will never find the answer.

From The Daily Beast

But vibrant industry requires solid infrastructure, which is where the Chinese government enters the equation.

From The Daily Beast

Until that equation tips, individual Republicans may break ranks on gay rights, but the party remains a countercultural bastion.

From The Daily Beast

“We want to take out those biases, those prejudices, out of the equation, to remove those barriers,” says Halfteck.

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, the “small room” part of that equation seems to have been a one-time thing.

From The Daily Beast

Now the trouble with the main proposition just quoted is that each side of the equation is used as the measure of the other.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, it is a truism, mere equation in terms, telling nothing whatever.

From Project Gutenberg

The fundamental equation of the economist, then, is that the value of everything is proportionate to its cost.

From Project Gutenberg

We are ourselves a term in the equation, a note of the chord, and make discord or harmony almost at will.

From Project Gutenberg

Inserting these values in our general equation and calculating the result, we obtain 18.1E6 as the value of the constant.

From Project Gutenberg