Sign in Subscribe

R.H.S (right hand side)

Last updated on 


In various contexts, the term "right hand side" (abbreviated as "RHS") refers to the right side of an equation or an expression. It is commonly used in mathematics, physics, and computer programming to differentiate between the left side (LHS) and the right side (RHS) of an equation or an assignment statement.

  1. Equations: In mathematics, an equation typically consists of two sides separated by an equals sign (=). The left-hand side (LHS) represents the expression or value on the left side of the equals sign, while the right-hand side (RHS) represents the expression or value on the right side of the equals sign. The equation is considered true if the LHS and RHS are equal. For example, in the equation "x + 2 = 7," the LHS is "x + 2" and the RHS is "7."
  2. Functions and Formulas: In mathematical functions and formulas, the RHS represents the value or expression on the right side of an equation or inequality. For instance, in the quadratic formula "x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a)," the RHS is the entire expression on the right side of the equals sign.
  3. Assignments in Programming: In computer programming, specifically in languages that use assignment statements, the RHS refers to the value or expression on the right side of the assignment operator (=). In programming, an assignment statement is used to store a value in a variable. For example, in the statement "x = y + 3," the RHS is "y + 3," indicating that the result of the expression "y + 3" is assigned to the variable "x."
  4. Matrices and Linear Algebra: In linear algebra, especially when dealing with matrix equations, the RHS is used to represent the right-hand side of the equation. Matrix equations often involve multiplying a matrix by a vector or another matrix, and the RHS represents the resulting vector or matrix. For example, in the equation "Ax = b," where A is a matrix, x is a vector, and b is another vector, the RHS refers to the vector b.

In summary, the term "right-hand side" (RHS) is used to refer to the right side of an equation, expression, or assignment statement in various mathematical, scientific, and programming contexts. It helps differentiate the values or expressions on the right side from those on the left side.