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

Because this event was captured so clearly, scientists could compare the results with predictions from Einstein's equations and Roy Kerr's solution describing rotating black holes.

Read more on Science Daily

Adding a hostile road environment to that equation this week only makes matters more complicated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If you take any one person out of that equation, you wouldn’t have it.”

Read more on Salon

But if it’s in the equations of your own models, the proposition at least bears consideration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Silver prices add another variable to the increasingly complicated equation.

Read more on Barron's