Personal equation

Personal equation
Equation E*qua"tion, n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. ['e]quation equation. See {Equate}.] 1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium. [1913 Webster]

Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]

2. (Math.) An expression of the condition of equality between two algebraic quantities or sets of quantities, the sign = being placed between them; as, a binomial equation; a quadratic equation; an algebraic equation; a transcendental equation; an exponential equation; a logarithmic equation; a differential equation, etc. [1913 Webster]

3. (Astron.) A quantity to be applied in computing the mean place or other element of a celestial body; that is, any one of the several quantities to be added to, or taken from, its position as calculated on the hypothesis of a mean uniform motion, in order to find its true position as resulting from its actual and unequal motion. [1913 Webster]

{Absolute equation}. See under {Absolute}.

{Equation box}, or {Equational box}, a system of differential gearing used in spinning machines for regulating the twist of the yarn. It resembles gearing used in equation clocks for showing apparent time.

{Equation of the center} (Astron.), the difference between the place of a planet as supposed to move uniformly in a circle, and its place as moving in an ellipse.

{Equations of condition} (Math.), equations formed for deducing the true values of certain quantities from others on which they depend, when different sets of the latter, as given by observation, would yield different values of the quantities sought, and the number of equations that may be found is greater than the number of unknown quantities.

{Equation of a curve} (Math.), an equation which expresses the relation between the co["o]rdinates of every point in the curve.

{Equation of equinoxes} (Astron.), the difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox.

{Equation of payments} (Arith.), the process of finding the mean time of payment of several sums due at different times.

{Equation of time} (Astron.), the difference between mean and apparent time, or between the time of day indicated by the sun, and that by a perfect clock going uniformly all the year round.

{Equation clock} or {Equation watch}, a timepiece made to exhibit the differences between mean solar and apparent solar time. --Knight.

{Normal equation}. See under {Normal}.

{Personal equation} (Astron.), the difference between an observed result and the true qualities or peculiarities in the observer; particularly the difference, in an average of a large number of observation, between the instant when an observer notes a phenomenon, as the transit of a star, and the assumed instant of its actual occurrence; or, relatively, the difference between these instants as noted by two observers. It is usually only a fraction of a second; -- sometimes applied loosely to differences of judgment or method occasioned by temperamental qualities of individuals.

{Theory of equations} (Math.), the branch of algebra that treats of the properties of a single algebraic equation of any degree containing one unknown quantity. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Personal equation — Personal Per son*al (p[ e]r s[u^]n*al), a. [L. personalis: cf. F. personnel.] 1. Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things. [1913 Webster] Every man so termed by way of personal difference. Hooker. [1913 Webster] 2. Of or pertaining to a …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • personal equation — index characteristic Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • personal equation — n. 1. variation in judgment, observation, etc. between individuals or in relation to a norm, often resulting in error 2. an allowance or correction made to take such variation into account …   English World dictionary

  • personal equation — noun variability attributable to individual differences • Hypernyms: ↑variability, ↑variableness, ↑variance * * * noun 1. : a constant or systematic deviation from an assumed correct observational result depending on personal qualities of the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Personal equation — The personal equation, in 19th and early 20th century science, referred to the idea that every individual observer had an inherent bias when it came to measurements and observations. The term originated in astronomy, when it was discovered that… …   Wikipedia

  • personal equation — noun Date: 1845 variation (as in observation) occasioned by the personal peculiarities of an individual; also a correction or allowance made for such variation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • personal equation — the tendency to personal bias that accounts for variation in interpretation or approach and for which allowance must be made. [1835 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • personal equation — The correction necessary to take account of individual differences in response times, especially in astronomy. Some observers will report an event earlier than others, because of an element of anticipation whose effects may vary. By analogy, the… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • personal equation — /pɜsənəl əˈkweɪʒən/ (say persuhnuhl uh kwayzhuhn) noun 1. personal tendency to deviation or error, as a result of the influence of individual perception, judgement, etc., for which allowance must be made. 2. the characteristics of an individual… …  

  • absolute personal equation — noun : the deviation between a value obtained by an observer and a standard value assumed as true compare relative personal equation …   Useful english dictionary

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