Editing Equation (section)

===Analogous illustration===

[[File:Equation illustration colour.svg|thumb|Illustration of a simple equation; ''x'', ''y'', ''z'' are real numbers, analogous to weights.]]

An equation is analogous to a [[weighing scale]], balance, or [[seesaw]].

Each side of the equation corresponds to one side of the balance. Different quantities can be placed on each side: if the weights on the two sides are equal, the scale balances, and in analogy, the equality that represents the balance is also balanced (if not, then the lack of balance corresponds to an [[Inequality (mathematics)|inequality]] represented by an [[inequation]]).

In the illustration, ''x'', ''y'' and ''z'' are all different quantities (in this case [[real numbers]]) represented as circular weights, and each of ''x'', ''y'', and ''z'' has a different weight. Addition corresponds to adding weight, while subtraction corresponds to removing weight from what is already there. When equality holds, the total weight on each side is the same.