equation

American  

[ih-kwey-zhuhn, -shuhn] / 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.

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equation British  

/ 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

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equation Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• equational adjective
• equationally adverb
• nonequation noun

Etymology

Origin of equation

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

Example Sentences

For Emilio Morales, who leads the Havana Consulting Group, which specializes in the Cuban economy, cutting off shipments "won't change the equation."

From Barron's

Prospective NIL deals aren’t necessarily part of the equation—elite athletic ability can beef up college applications in general.

From The Wall Street Journal

Organized labor, a powerful voice in Sacramento, could sway the equation.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting to this position, and it is a healthy one, is another factor in the equation.

From BBC

The agency’s name appeared to be an inside joke, with people believing that in the equation E=MC², the E stood for Epstein.

From The Wall Street Journal