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

Now determining whether I can afford something has shifted from a guess every time I click “buy” to a math equation I actually know how to solve.

From MarketWatch

Between the graphs and equations, he says, you glimpse the people behind the missions; what their families were going through, what they knew and did not yet know as they pushed into the unknown.

From BBC

"I think that equation is the most difficult one that Pakistan is going to have to think through if its current plans don't work out."

From BBC

Visualizing the problem in your head, you straighten the text, bold the faded equation, connect it to the page in the textbook.

From Literature

Some of the more condescending reviews of “Marie Antoinette” made a facile equation between you and your protagonist, as if you were the flippant queen dousing herself in luxury.

From Salon