---
title: equation — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «equation» in the school dictionary: An equation is a number sentence with an equals sign, showing that two sides have the same value, like 3 + 4 = 7. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# equation

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** equation, two sides, science, you, equation x, number · **What happens:** be, show, have, find, write, solve · **To what, where:** number sentence, same value, missing number, x, short way, rule · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«equation» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 8 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [equation in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/equation.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An equation is a number sentence with an equals sign, showing that two sides have the same value, like 3 + 4 = 7.

<!-- fold The tree, 24 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:m1:1
# text = An equation is a number sentence with an equals sign, showing that two sides have the same value, like 3 + 4 = 7.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	sentence	sentence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	equals	equal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	compound	_	_
10	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	showing	show	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
13	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	16	mark	_	_
14	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	15	nummod	_	_
15	sides	side	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	nsubj	_	_
16	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	ccomp	_	_
17	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
18	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	19	amod	_	_
19	value	value	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	22	punct	_	_
21	like	like	ADP	IN	_	22	case	_	_
22	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	19	appos	_	_
23	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	24	cc	_	_
24	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	22	conj	_	_
25	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	26	case	_	_
26	7	7	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	22	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a equation | a number sentence |  |  |  | with a equals sign | tree rules |
| 2 | **show** | gerund | a equation *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **have** | present | two sides | the same value |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent value=Patient |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An equation often has a missing number or letter to find, like x + 2 = 5.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:m2:1
# text = An equation often has a missing number or letter to find, like x + 2 = 5.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	often	often	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	missing	missing	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	like	like	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	x	x	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
15	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	16	cc	_	_
16	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	14	conj	_	_
17	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	18	case	_	_
18	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	16	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | a equation | a missing number or letter |  |  |  | often *property* | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Patient |
| 2 | **find** | to-infinitive | a equation *not said here* | x |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent x=Topic |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In science, an equation is a short way to write a rule or a reaction.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:m3:1
# text = In science, an equation is a short way to write a rule or a reaction.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	science	science	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	write	write	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	acl	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	reaction	reaction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | science | a short way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **write** | to-infinitive |  | a rule or a reaction |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write an equation for the story.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x1:1
# text = Write an equation for the story.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | imperative | you *not said here* | a equation |  |  |  | for the story | vn create-26.4-1 «NP V NP PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent equation=Result for story=Beneficiary |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Solve the equation 5 + □ = 12.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x2:1
# text = Solve the equation 5 + □ = 12.
1	Solve	solve	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	obj	_	_
5	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	4	flat	_	_
6	□	□	SYM	SYM	_	5	flat	_	_
7	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	8	case	_	_
8	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **solve** | imperative | you *not said here* | the equation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The equation x − 4 = 9 means a number take away 4 is 9.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x3:1
# text = The equation x − 4 = 9 means a number take away 4 is 9.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	x	x	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
4	−	−	SYM	SYM	_	5	case	_	_
5	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	3	nmod	_	_
6	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	7	case	_	_
7	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nmod	_	_
8	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
11	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	ccomp	_	_
12	away	away	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
13	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	15	nsubj	_	_
14	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	cop	_	_
15	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	11	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | the equation x − 4 = 9 |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **take away** | infinitive | a number |  |  |  |  | away *property* | vn remove-10.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is a** | present | 4 | 9 |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Which equation matches the problem?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x4:1
# text = Which equation matches the problem?
1	Which	which	DET	WDT	PronType=Int	2	det	_	_
2	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	matches	match	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **match** | present | which equation | the problem |  |  |  |  | vn amalgamate-22.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent problem=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An equation is like a balance: both sides weigh the same.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x5:1
# text = An equation is like a balance: both sides weigh the same.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	like	like	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	balance	balance	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
8	both	both	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	9	det	_	_
9	sides	side	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
10	weigh	weigh	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	parataxis	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a equation |  |  |  |  | like a balance | tree rules |
| 2 | **weigh** | present | both sides | the same |  |  |  |  | vn register-54.1-2-1 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme same=Value |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Check your answer by putting it back into the equation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x6:1
# text = Check your answer by putting it back into the equation.
1	Check	check	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	putting	put	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	obj	_	_
7	back	back	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
8	into	into	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **check** | imperative | you *not said here* | your answer |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent answer=Theme |
| 2 | **put back** | gerund | you *not said here* | answer |  | the equation |  |  | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent it=Goal |
| 3 | **answer** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom answer «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
2 + 3 = 5 is an equation, but 2 + 3 is not.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x7:1
# text = 2 + 3 = 5 is an equation, but 2 + 3 is not.
1	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nsubj	_	_
2	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	3	cc	_	_
3	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	conj	_	_
4	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	5	case	_	_
5	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
10	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
11	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	14	nsubj	_	_
12	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	13	cc	_	_
13	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	11	conj	_	_
14	is	be	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	parataxis	_	_
15	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	14	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | 2 = 5 | a equation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **not** **be** | present | 2 |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Einstein's famous equation is E = mc².

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:equation:x8:1
# text = Einstein's famous equation is E = mc².
1	Einstein	Einstein	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	's	PART	POS	_	1	case	_	_
3	famous	famous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	equation	equation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	E	E	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	=	=	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	mc	mc	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	²	²	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Einstein's famous equation | E |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **equate** |  | Einstein |  |  |  |  |  | nom equation «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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