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# equation

[ih-kwey-zhuhn, -shuhn]
equation, in mathematics, a statement, usually written in symbols, that states the equality of two quantities or algebraic expressions, e.g., x+3=5. The quantity x+3, to the left of the equals sign (=), is called the left-hand, or first, member of the equation, that to the right (5) the right-hand, or second, member. A numerical equation is one containing only numbers, e.g., 2+3=5. A literal equation is one that, like the first example, contains some letters (representing unknowns or variables). An identical equation is a literal equation that is true for every value of the variable, e.g., the equation (x+1)2=x2+2x+1. A conditional equation (usually referred to simply as an equation) is a literal equation that is not true for all values of the variable, e.g., only the value 2 for x makes true the equation x+3=5. To solve an equation is to find the value or values of the variable that satisfy it. Polynomial equations, containing more than one term, are classified according to the highest degree of the variable they contain. Thus the first example is a first degree (also called linear) equation. The equation ax2+bx+c=0 is a second degree, or quadratic, equation in the unknown x if the letters a, b, and c are assumed to represent constants. In algebra, methods are evolved for solving various types of equations. To be valid the solution must satisfy the equation. Whether it does can be ascertained by substituting the supposed solution for the variable in the equation. The simultaneous solution of two or more equations is a set of values of the variables that satisfies each of the equations. In order that a solution may exist, the number of equations (i.e., conditions) must generally be no greater than the number of variables. In chemistry an equation (see chemical equation) is used to represent a reaction.
equation, chemical: see chemical equation.

An equation is a mathematical statement, in symbols, that two things are exactly the same (or equivalent). Equations are written with an equal sign, as in

$2 + 3 = 5,.$

The equation above is an example of an equality: a proposition which states that two constants are equal. Equalities may be true or false.

Equations are often used to state the equality of two expressions containing one or more variables. In the reals we can say, for example, that for any given value of $x$ it is true that

$x \left(x-1\right) = x^2-x,.$

The equation above is an example of an identity, that is, an equation that is true regardless of the values of any variables that appear in it. The following equation is not an identity:

$x^2-x = 0,.$

It is false for an infinite number of values of $x$, and true for only two, the roots or solutions of the equation, $x=0$ and $x=1$. Therefore, if the equation is known to be true, it carries information about the value of $x.$ To solve an equation means to find its solutions.

Many authors reserve the term equation for an equality which is not an identity. The distinction between the two concepts can be subtle; for example,

$\left(x + 1\right)^2 = x^2 + 2x + 1,$
is an identity, while
$\left(x + 1\right)^2 = 2x^2 + x + 1,$
is an equation, whose roots are $x=0$ and $x=1$. Whether a statement is meant to be an identity or an equation, carrying information about its variables can usually be determined from its context.

Letters from the beginning of the alphabet like a, b, c... often denote constants in the context of the discussion at hand, while letters from end of the alphabet, like x, y, z..., are usually reserved for the variables, a convention initiated by Descartes.

## Properties

If an equation in algebra is known to be true, the following operations may be used to produce another true equation:

1. Any quantity can be added to both sides.
2. Any quantity can be subtracted from both sides.
3. Any quantity can be multiplied to both sides.
4. Any nonzero quantity can divide both sides.
5. Generally, any function can be applied to both sides. (However, caution must be exercised to ensure that one does not encounter extraneous solutions.)

The algebraic properties (1-4) imply that equality is a congruence relation for a field; in fact, it is essentially the only one.

The most well known system of numbers which allows all of these operations is the real numbers, which is an example of a field. However, if the equation were based on the natural numbers for example, some of these operations (like division and subtraction) may not be valid as negative numbers and non-whole numbers are not allowed. The integers are an example of an integral domain which does not allow all divisions as, again, whole numbers are needed. However, subtraction is allowed, and is the inverse operator in that system.

If a function that is not injective is applied to both sides of a true equation, then the resulting equation will still be true, but it may be less useful. Formally, one has an implication, not an equivalence, so the solution set may get larger. The functions implied in properties (1), (2), and (4) are always injective, as is (3) if we do not multiply by zero. Some generalized products, such as a dot product, are never injective.

## External links

• Mathematical equation plotter: Plots 2D mathematical equations, computes integrals, and finds solutions online.
• Equation plotter: A web page for producing and downloading pdf or postscript plots of the solution sets to equations and inequations in two variables (x and y).
• WZGrapher: A Windows freeware program that plots Cartesian and polar equations, with both integration and differentiation solvers and graphing capabilities.
• EqWorld — contains information on solutions to many different classes of mathematical equations.
• EquationSolver: A webpage that can solve single equations and linear equation systems.
• WebGraphing.com: Online Equation Plotter with Automatic Table of Coordinates
• Online Equation Solver

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