Re: Equation or Formula

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

Does that answer your question?

On Thu, 7 Mar 2002, Tim O'Donnell wrote:

> Date sent:      =09Thu, 07 Mar 2002 13:15:36 -0600
> =46rom:           =09Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>
> Subject:        =09Re: Equation or Formula
> To:             =09PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> Send reply to:  =09"phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators=
> "
> =09<PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
>
> > What does the dictionary say?
> Merriam-Webster says:
> Main Entry: equa=B7tion {HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio=
> .pl?equati01.wav=3Dequation')"}{HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bi=
> n/audio.pl?equati01.wav=3Dequation')"}=0F
> Pronunciation: i-'kwA-zh&n also -sh&n=0F
> Function: noun=0F
> Date: 14th century=0F
> 1 a : the act or process of {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=3DDictionary&=
> va=3Dequating"}equating b (1) : an element affecting a process : {HYP=
> ERLINK "dictionary?book=3DDictionary&va=3Dfactor"}FACTOR
> (2) : a complex of variable factors c : a state of being {HYPERLINK "=
> dictionary?book=3DDictionary&va=3Dequated"}equated; specifically : a =
> state
> of close association or identification <bring governmental enterprise=
> s and payment
> for them into immediate equation -- R. G. Tugwell>=0F
> 2 a : a usually formal statement of the {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=
> =3DDictionary&va=3Dequality"}equality or equivalence of mathematical =
> or
> logical expressions b : an expression representing a chemical reactio=
> n quantitatively
> by means of chemical symbols
>
> Main Entry: 1for=B7mu=B7la {HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/au=
> dio.pl?formul01.wav=3Dformula')"}{HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-=
> bin/audio.pl?formul01.wav=3Dformula')"}=0F
> Pronunciation: 'for-my&-l&=0F
> Function: noun=0F
> Inflected Form(s): plural -las or for=B7mu=B7lae {HYPERLINK "javascri=
> pt:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul02.wav=3Dformulae')"}{HYPERLINK "j=
> avascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul02.wav=3Dformulae')"}/-"lE,=
>  -"lI/=0F
> Etymology: Latin, diminutive of forma form=0F
> Date: 1618=0F
> 1 a : a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual b : a conve=
> ntionalized
> statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle esp=
> ecially as a
> basis for negotiation or action=0F
> 2 a (1) : {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=3DDictionary&va=3Drecipe"}RECIP=
> E (2) : {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=3DDictionary&va=3Dprescription"}P=
> RESCRIPTION b : a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an
> infant=0F
> 3 a : a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathema=
> tical symbols b :
> a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of =
> a substance c :
> a group of symbols (as letters and numbers) associated to express con=
> cisely facts or
> data (as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) d : a combination =
> of signs in a
> logical calculus=0F
> 4 : a customary or set form or method allowing little room for origin=
> ality=0F
>
> On that basis I would say
> F =3D ma is an equation.
>
> Tim O'Donnell - Celina High School

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It is your strength against my intelligence.  It is a veritable potpourri
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                     <The 5-MINUTE ILIAD and Other Classics>