What does equation mean?
Word: Equation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Equation means a maths statement that shows two amounts are equal, using an equals sign, such as 3 + x = 10.
How do you spell equation?
Syllables: e - qua - tion
Tricky part: The ending sounds like zhun but is spelt tion, and q is followed by u.
Watch out for: equasion, eqation, equattion
Memory tip: Think of the equator, the line round the middle of the Earth: equation starts with the same four letters, e-q-u-a.
Equation in a sentence
Example 1: Write the equation 3 + x = 10 and find the value of x.
Example 2: The board was full of equations after the maths lesson.
Example 3: Clara solved the tricky equation before anyone else in class.
Fun Fact
The equals sign was invented by the Welsh mathematician Robert Recorde in 1557; he chose two parallel lines because no two things could be more equal.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Kabir wrote the equation on the board and explained each step very carefuly.
a) wrote
b) carefuly
c) equation
d) board
Show answer
b) carefuly. Careful already ends in l, so adding ly gives a double l in carefully; equation is spelt correctly.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
quotanie
a) quotation
b) equator
c) question
d) equation
Show answer
d) equation. With no s, no r and only one t, these letters make equation.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) decimel
b) perimiter
c) divisable
d) equation
Show answer
d) equation. Check each maths word: the real spellings are divisible, perimeter and decimal, so equation is the only correct one.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Pick the equation from this list.
a) 7 x 12 + 5
b) 5 + 7 + 12
c) 12 - 5 - 7
d) 5 + 7 = 12
Show answer
d) 5 + 7 = 12
2. Which sentence uses equation correctly?
a) The teacher read a short equation from a poem.
b) The equation passes through Kenya and Brazil.
c) Clara asked an equation about her homework.
d) Clara solved the equation 2x = 8 in her head.
Show answer
d) Clara solved the equation 2x = 8 in her head.
