ecuación
nounCEFR B2
What does “ecuación” mean in English?
equation
equation (a mathematical statement of equality; also figurative: no es parte de la ecuación)
Example sentences
Los economistas advierten de que la ecuación entre crecimiento económico y sostenibilidad ambiental es más compleja que los modelos simplificados.
Economists warn that the equation between economic growth and environmental sustainability is more complex than simplified models suggest.
Los alumnos de bachillerato aprenden a resolver ecuaciones de segundo grado en el primer trimestre.
Sixth-form students learn to solve quadratic equations in the first term.
La ecuación de la paz en Oriente Medio tiene demasiadas incógnitas para ofrecer una solución a corto plazo.
The peace equation in the Middle East has too many unknowns to offer a short-term solution.
How to use it
La ecuación (noun, feminine) means 'equation' — in maths/science, a statement of equality; in general use, a complex balance of factors. At B2, the figurative use is as important as the technical one. Core collocations: resolver una ecuación; ecuación de primer/segundo grado; la ecuación del problema (the equation of the problem — figurative); plantear la ecuación. Related: la fórmula (formula — specific recipe/expression) and el teorema (theorem). The figurative sense 'finding the equation' (i.e. solving a complex balance) is very productive at B2.
Common mistake
In Spanish, ecuación is used figuratively (like English 'equation') in formal writing. Don't confuse with fórmula (a specific recipe/formula) or cálculo (calculation/calculus). 'The equation sign' = el signo igual (not *la ecuación).