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Re: Equation or Formula



Date sent: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 13:15:36 -0600
From: Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>
Subject: Re: Equation or Formula
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Send reply to: "phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators"
<PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>

What does the dictionary say?
Merriam-Webster says:
Main Entry: equa·tion {HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?equati01.wav=equation')"}{HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?equati01.wav=equation')"}
Pronunciation: i-'kwA-zh&n also -sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : the act or process of {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=equating"}equating b (1) : an element affecting a process : {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=factor"}FACTOR
(2) : a complex of variable factors c : a state of being {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=equated"}equated; specifically : a state
of close association or identification <bring governmental enterprises and payment
for them into immediate equation -- R. G. Tugwell>
2 a : a usually formal statement of the {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=equality"}equality or equivalence of mathematical or
logical expressions b : an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively
by means of chemical symbols

Main Entry: 1for·mu·la {HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul01.wav=formula')"}{HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul01.wav=formula')"}
Pronunciation: 'for-my&-l&
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -las or for·mu·lae {HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul02.wav=formulae')"}{HYPERLINK "javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?formul02.wav=formulae')"}/-"lE, -"lI/
Etymology: Latin, diminutive of forma form
Date: 1618
1 a : a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual b : a conventionalized
statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a
basis for negotiation or action
2 a (1) : {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=recipe"}RECIPE (2) : {HYPERLINK "dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=prescription"}PRESCRIPTION b : a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an
infant
3 a : a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical 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 concisely facts or
data (as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) d : a combination of signs in a
logical calculus
4 : a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality

On that basis I would say
F = ma is an equation.

Tim O'Donnell - Celina High School