equate

Equation comes from the word equate. When used as a noun, equation means a statement which shows that two things are equal.

For example:

In a mathematical equation, the left and the right sides are equal in value:

5 + 2 = 3 + 4 When used as a verb, equate means to compare things and show that they are almost equal.

For example:

Young people often equate happiness with wealth. When they get older, they see that happiness and wealth are not the same.

Many people like things to stay the same and they equate change with losing something.