An equation is a statement that two things are equal; it has an equal sign which looks like this: =
So if, for example, 2x + 5 = y4 - 27, that's an equation. A collection of numbers and/or letters that does not have an equal sign would be an expression. For example, 3x(9 + x).
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An equation has an equal = sign whereas an expression does not.
Equation: x+3=3+x (notice the equal sign: equal; equation)Expression: x+3 (notice no equal sign)
Equation: x+3=3+x (notice the equal sign: equal; equation)Expression: x+3 (notice no equal sign)
An expression does not include an equals sign (=) For eg: 2x+3 would not be an equation but an expression However, 2x+3=0, is definitely an equation with a solution x= -3/2. An expression does not have a definite solution. An expression is a set of terms with mathematical operations combining them. An equation consists of two expressions with an equals sign between them. An expression is a collection of terms and does not have an = sign An equation is a collection of terms but has an = sign between them.
I don't really think there is a difference, but maybe the difference is that in pre-algebra you learn and practice the basic foudations, like the different steps to solve an equation, and what is a equation, and stuff like that. Begining algebra is where you practice actually solving the easier types of algebra equations.