Adjacent Words

Equation definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EQUA'TION, n. [L. oequatio, from oequo, to make equal or level.]
1. Literally, a making equal, or an equal division.
2. In algebra, a proposition asserting the equality of two quantities, and expressed by the sign=between them; or an expression of the same quantity in two dissimilar terms, but of equal value, as 3s=36d, or x=b+m-r. In the latter case, x is equal to be added to m, with r subtracted, and the quantities on the right hand of the sign of equation are said to be the value of x on the left hand.
3. In astronomy, the reduction of the apparent time or motion of the sun to equable, mean or true time.
4. The reduction of any extremes to a mean proportion.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a mathematical statement that two expressions are equal
2: a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced; "on a par with the best" [syn: equality, equivalence, equation, par]
3: the act of regarding as equal [syn: equation, equating]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 14th century 1. a. the act or process of equating b. (1) an element affecting a process ; factor (2) a complex of variable factors c. a state of being equated; specifically a state of close association or identification <bring governmental enterprises and payment for them into immediate equation — R. G. Tugwell> 2. a. a usually formal statement of the equality or equivalence of mathematical or logical expressions b. an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively by means of chemical symbols

Britannica Concise

Statement of equality between two expressions consisting of variables and/or numbers. In essence, equations are questions, and the development of mathematics has been driven by attempts to find answers to those questions in a systematic way. Equations vary in complexity from simple algebraic equations (involving only addition or multiplication) to differential equations, exponential equations (involving exponential expressions), and integral equations. They are used to express many of the laws of physics. See also system of equations.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 the process of equating or making equal; the state of being equal. 2 Math. a statement that two mathematical expressions are equal (indicated by the sign =). 3 Chem. a formula indicating a chemical reaction by means of symbols for the elements taking part. Phrases and idioms: equation of the first order, second order , etc. an equation involving only the first derivative, second derivative, etc. Derivatives: equational adj. Etymology: ME f. OF equation or L aequatio (as EQUATE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Equation E*qua"tion, n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. ['e]quation equation. See Equate.] 1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium. Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night. --Rowe. 2. (Math.) An expression of the condition of equality between two algebraic quantities or sets of quantities, the sign = being placed between them; as, a binomial equation; a quadratic equation; an algebraic equation; a transcendental equation; an exponential equation; a logarithmic equation; a differential equation, etc. 3. (Astron.) A quantity to be applied in computing the mean place or other element of a celestial body; that is, any one of the several quantities to be added to, or taken from, its position as calculated on the hypothesis of a mean uniform motion, in order to find its true position as resulting from its actual and unequal motion. Absolute equation. See under Absolute. Equation box, or Equational box, a system of differential gearing used in spinning machines for regulating the twist of the yarn. It resembles gearing used in equation clocks for showing apparent time. Equation of the center (Astron.), the difference between the place of a planet as supposed to move uniformly in a circle, and its place as moving in an ellipse. Equations of condition (Math.), equations formed for deducing the true values of certain quantities from others on which they depend, when different sets of the latter, as given by observation, would yield different values of the quantities sought, and the number of equations that may be found is greater than the number of unknown quantities. Equation of a curve (Math.), an equation which expresses the relation between the co["o]rdinates of every point in the curve. Equation of equinoxes (Astron.), the difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox. Equation of payments (Arith.), the process of finding the mean time of payment of several sums due at different times. Equation of time (Astron.), the difference between mean and apparent time, or between the time of day indicated by the sun, and that by a perfect clock going uniformly all the year round. Equation clock or watch, a timepiece made to exhibit the differences between mean solar and apparent solar time. --Knight. Normal equation. See under Normal. Personal equation (Astron.), the difference between an observed result and the true qualities or peculiarities in the observer; particularly the difference, in an average of a large number of observation, between the instant when an observer notes a phenomenon, as the transit of a star, and the assumed instant of its actual occurrence; or, relatively, the difference between these instants as noted by two observers. It is usually only a fraction of a second; -- sometimes applied loosely to differences of judgment or method occasioned by temperamental qualities of individuals. Theory of equations (Math.), the branch of algebra that treats of the properties of a single algebraic equation of any degree containing one unknown quantity.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Equation E*qua"tion, n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. ['e]quation equation. See Equate.] 1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium. Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night. --Rowe. 2. (Math.) An expression of the condition of equality between two algebraic quantities or sets of quantities, the sign = being placed between them; as, a binomial equation; a quadratic equation; an algebraic equation; a transcendental equation; an exponential equation; a logarithmic equation; a differential equation, etc. 3. (Astron.) A quantity to be applied in computing the mean place or other element of a celestial body; that is, any one of the several quantities to be added to, or taken from, its position as calculated on the hypothesis of a mean uniform motion, in order to find its true position as resulting from its actual and unequal motion. Absolute equation. See under Absolute. Equation box, or Equational box, a system of differential gearing used in spinning machines for regulating the twist of the yarn. It resembles gearing used in equation clocks for showing apparent time. Equation of the center (Astron.), the difference between the place of a planet as supposed to move uniformly in a circle, and its place as moving in an ellipse. Equations of condition (Math.), equations formed for deducing the true values of certain quantities from others on which they depend, when different sets of the latter, as given by observation, would yield different values of the quantities sought, and the number of equations that may be found is greater than the number of unknown quantities. Equation of a curve (Math.), an equation which expresses the relation between the co["o]rdinates of every point in the curve. Equation of equinoxes (Astron.), the difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox. Equation of payments (Arith.), the process of finding the mean time of payment of several sums due at different times. Equation of time (Astron.), the difference between mean and apparent time, or between the time of day indicated by the sun, and that by a perfect clock going uniformly all the year round. Equation clock or watch, a timepiece made to exhibit the differences between mean solar and apparent solar time. --Knight. Normal equation. See under Normal. Personal equation (Astron.), the difference between an observed result and the true qualities or peculiarities in the observer; particularly the difference, in an average of a large number of observation, between the instant when an observer notes a phenomenon, as the transit of a star, and the assumed instant of its actual occurrence; or, relatively, the difference between these instants as noted by two observers. It is usually only a fraction of a second; -- sometimes applied loosely to differences of judgment or method occasioned by temperamental qualities of individuals. Theory of equations (Math.), the branch of algebra that treats of the properties of a single algebraic equation of any degree containing one unknown quantity.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(equations) 1. An equation is a mathematical statement saying that two amounts or values are the same, for example 6x4=12x2. N-COUNT 2. An equation is a situation in which two or more parts have to be considered together so that the whole situation can be understood or explained. The equation is simple: research breeds new products... New plans have taken chance out of the equation. N-COUNT 3. see also equate

Moby Thesaurus

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