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 chemical equation. 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

8. astronomy See personal equation

equation

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonequation noun
• equational adjective
• equationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of equation¹

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

Example Sentences

Weaver masterly balances both sides of the equation.

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Rather than encouraging the COP-ers to enforce the right thing, David Lang’s “before and after nature,” in its Los Angeles premiere Sunday night, took humanity out of the equation.

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To simulate living neuronal behavior, a tool called Neulite transformed mathematical equations into virtual neurons capable of spiking, signaling, and communicating as real neurons do.

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He was chewing his bottom lip like he was trying to solve a complex math equation.

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I already excelled at solving equations in math.

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