What is a mathematical-equality-as-balance metaphor?

What is a mathematical-equality-as-balance metaphor?

Definition
	A conventional metaphor in which mathematical equality is represented as a balance between the total values of the terms on either side of an equation.

Examples

Here is an example in English:

The same operation must be performed on both sides to keep the equation in balance.

Adapted from:
Johnson 1987

Generic
	A mathematical-equality-as-balance metaphor is a kind of
	Conventional metaphors in English

Source
	Johnson 1987

Context for this page:

Concept module: mathematical-equality-as-balance metaphor
In modular book: Metaphors in English, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H. Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Lexicon

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 September 1998