Equation

Equation
Equation E*qua"tion, n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. ['e]quation equation. See {Equate}.] 1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium. [1913 Webster]

Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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 {Equation 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Equation — Équation (mathématiques)  Cet article concerne les équations mathématiques dans leur généralité. Pour une introduction au concept, voir Équation (mathématiques élémentaires).   …   Wikipédia en Français

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  • equation — late 14c., a term in astrology; meaning “action of making equal” is from 1650s; mathematical sense is from 1560s, on notion of equalizing the expressions; from L. aequationem (nom. aequatio) an equal distribution, community, from pp. stem of… …   Etymology dictionary

  • equation — ► NOUN 1) the process of equating one thing with another. 2) Mathematics a statement that the values of two mathematical expressions are equal (indicated by the sign =). 3) Chemistry a symbolic representation of the changes which occur in a… …   English terms dictionary

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  • Equation — This article is about equations in mathematics. For the chemistry term, see chemical equation. The first use of an equals sign, equivalent to 14x+15=71 in modern notation. From The Whetstone of Witte by Robert Recorde (1557). An equation is a… …   Wikipedia

  • equation — /i kway zheuhn, sheuhn/, n. 1. the act of equating or making equal; equalization: the symbolic equation of darkness with death. 2. equally balanced state; equilibrium. 3. Math. an expression or a proposition, often algebraic, asserting the… …   Universalium

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