Solution vs. Answer — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 1, 2023
A solution addresses and resolves a problem or challenge. An answer responds to a question or inquiry.
Difference Between Solution and Answer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Solution and Answer, while often used interchangeably, have distinct differences in context and use. A solution primarily pertains to addressing and resolving a problem, challenge, or situation. It signifies an end to an issue, presenting a method or means to overcome an obstacle. For instance, in mathematical or scientific scenarios, a solution can denote a method to arrive at a result or the mixture of solute in a solvent.
Conversely, an answer is a direct response or reply to a question or inquiry. It provides clarity, information, or elucidation to a posed query. In many contexts, especially in examinations or quizzes, an answer indicates a student's response to a specific question. While a solution addresses the broader context of resolving, an answer simply addresses the query itself.
It's crucial to recognize that while every solution can be an answer to a problem, not every answer serves as a solution. For instance, if asked about the capital of France, the answer is "Paris." However, if someone is facing issues in navigating through Paris, the solution might be a map or a guide.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Method or means to resolve a problem
Direct response to a question
Context of Use
Problems, challenges, situations
Questions, inquiries
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Scope
Broader, encompasses entire issue or problem
Narrower, focuses on specific queries
Associated Actions
Resolving, fixing, addressing
Responding, replying
Relation to Queries
Offers comprehensive resolution
Provides direct information or clarity
Compare with Definitions
Solution
The result of dissolving a solute in a solvent.
Salt water is a solution of salt in water.
Answer
A solution to a problem or dilemma.
The key to the mystery was the answer they had overlooked.
Solution
A product or service designed to meet a particular need.
The software was a solution for data management.
Answer
A reaction or response to a situation or stimulus.
The alarm was the answer to the security breach.
Solution
A method or process of dealing with a problem
Sought a solution to falling enrollments.
Answer
A series of words spoken, written, or signed in reaction to a question, request, or other prompt; a reply
I wrote weeks ago but never got an answer.
Solution
The answer to a problem or the explanation for something
The solution to the mystery.
Answer
An act that serves as a reply or response
Our only possible answer was to sue. Their answer was to ignore me.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these.
Answer
A solution or result, as to a problem
We all got the right answer to that problem.
Solution
The process of forming such a mixture.
Answer
The correct solution or response
The teacher read the answers to the quiz aloud.
Solution
The state of being dissolved
Nitrogen that is in solution in the ocean.
Answer
Something markedly similar to another of the same class
Cable TV's answer to the broadcast networks' sportscasts.
Solution
(Archaic) The act of separating or breaking up; dissolution.
Answer
(Law) A defendant's response to the allegations that have been made against them.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances.
Answer
To speak, write, or sign as a reaction to a question or other prompt
He couldn't take the call but answered with a text message.
Solution
An act, plan or other means, used or proposed, to solve a problem.
Answer
To act in reaction or as a response
Their team scored, but our team answered with a quick goal.
Solution
An answer to a problem.
Answer
To be liable or accountable
You must answer for your actions to your supervisor.
Solution
(marketing) A product, service or suite thereof, especially software.
Answer
To serve the purpose; suffice
“Often I do use three words where one would answer” (Mark Twain).
Solution
Satisfaction of a claim or debt.
Answer
To match; correspond
I found a dog answering to that description.
Solution
The act of dissolving, especially of a solid by a fluid; dissolution.
Answer
To produce an answer to
She answered the email.
Solution
The crisis of a disease.
Answer
To state in reply
He answered that he was unable to join us.
Solution
To treat with a solution.
Answer
To respond correctly to
I can't answer the question.
Solution
The act of separating the parts of any body, or the condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption; breach.
In all bodies there is an appetite of union and evitation of solution of continuity.
Answer
To act in response to
The police answered the call for help. The soldiers answered the attack.
Solution
The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult question; explanation; clearing up; - used especially in mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation or problem, or the result of the process.
Answer
To argue in defense of oneself against (an accusation or charge).
Solution
The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution; disintegration.
It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and solution, than at a time when magnificent and seductive systems of worship were at their height of energy and splendor.
Answer
To be sufficient for (a need, for instance); fulfill
“My fortune has answered my desires” (Izaak Walton).
Solution
The act or process by which a body (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and, remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the solvent; also, the product resulting from such absorption.
Answer
To match or correspond to
The suspect answers the description given by the police.
Solution
Release; deliverance; discharge.
Answer
A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
Her answer to his proposal was a slap in the face.
Solution
The termination of a disease; resolution.
Answer
A solution to a problem.
There is no simple answer to corruption.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution;
He used a solution of peroxide and water
Answer
(legal) A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.
Solution
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem;
They were trying to find a peaceful solution
The answers were in the back of the book
He computed the result to four decimal places
Answer
(ambitransitive) To make a reply or response to.
He answered the question.
Solution
A method for solving a problem;
The easy solution is to look it up in the handbook
Answer
(transitive) To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.
To answer a charge or accusation
Solution
The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
Answer
(ambitransitive) To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
She answered the door.
Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.
Solution
The successful action of solving a problem;
The solution took three hours
Answer
(ambitransitive) To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
It answers the need.
Solution
A means to solve a problem or deal with a difficult situation.
The council found a solution to the city's traffic problem.
Answer
To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.
The man must answer to his employer for the money entrusted to his care.
He has a lot to answer for.
Solution
A specific method for performing a task.
The engineer proposed a new solution for generating power.
Answer
(legal) To file a document in response to a complaint.
Solution
The correct answer to a mathematical problem.
After hours of calculation, she finally found the solution.
Answer
To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
Answer
To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
Answer
To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
Answer
To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
Answer
To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.
He answered my claim upon him.
The servant answered the bell.
Answer
(obsolete) To render account to or for.
Answer
(obsolete) To atone for; to be punished for.
Answer
(obsolete) To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
Answer
To speak in defense against; to reply to in defense; as, to answer a charge; to answer an accusation.
Answer
To speak or write in return to, as in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration, argument, or the like; to reply to (a question, remark, etc.); to respond to.
She answers him as if she knew his mind.
So spake the apostate angel, though in pain: . . . And him thus answered soon his bold compeer.
Answer
To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification, and the like; to refute.
No man was able to answer him a word.
These shifts refuted, answer thine appellant.
The reasoning was not and could not be answered.
Answer
To be or act in return or response to.
This proud king . . . studies day and nightTo answer all the debts he owes unto you.
Answer
To render account to or for.
I will . . . send him to answer thee.
Answer
To atone; to be punished for.
And grievously hath Cæzar answered it.
Answer
To be opposite to; to face.
The windows answering each other, we could just discern the glowing horizon them.
Answer
To be or act an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
Money answereth all things.
Answer
To be or act in accommodation, conformity, relation, or proportion to; to correspond to; to suit.
Weapons must needs be dangerous things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious a person.
Answer
To speak or write by way of return (originally, to a charge), or in reply; to make response.
There was no voice, nor any that answered.
Answer
To make a satisfactory response or return.
Let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law.
Answer
To be or act in return.
Do the strings answer to thy noble hand?
Answer
To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
That the time may have all shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to convenience.
If this but answer to my just belief,I 'll remember you.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Answer
A reply to a charge; a defense.
At my first answer no man stood with me.
Answer
Something said or written in reply to a question, a call, an argument, an address, or the like; a reply.
A soft answer turneth away wrath.
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Answer
Something done in return for, or in consequence of, something else; a responsive action.
Great the slaughter isHere made by the Roman; great the answer beBritons must take.
Answer
A solution, the result of a mathematical operation; as, the answer to a problem.
Answer
A counter-statement of facts in a course of pleadings; a confutation of what the other party has alleged; a responsive declaration by a witness in reply to a question. In Equity, it is the usual form of defense to the complainant's charges in his bill.
Answer
A statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
I waited several days for his answer
He wrote replies to several of his critics
Answer
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem;
They were trying to find a peaceful solution
The answers were in the back of the book
He computed the result to four decimal places
Answer
The speech act of replying to a question
Answer
The principle pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
Answer
A nonverbal reaction;
His answer to any problem was to get drunk
Their answer was to sue me
Answer
Reply or respond to;
She didn't want to answer
Answer the question
We answered that we would accept the invitation
Answer
Give the correct answer or solution to;
Answer a question
Answer the riddle
Answer
Respond to a signal;
Answer the door
Answer the telephone
Answer
Understand the meaning of;
The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered
Answer
Give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument);
The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution
Answer
Be liable or accountable;
She must answer for her actions
Answer
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity;
A few words would answer
This car suits my purpose well
Will $100 do?
A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
Answer
Match or correspond;
The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave
Answer
Be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of;
This may answer her needs
Answer
React to a stimulus or command;
The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch
Answer
A response to a question or inquiry.
The teacher provided the answer to the student's question.
Answer
A statement of acceptance or agreement.
He said yes in answer to the proposal.
Answer
The correct choice or decision regarding a matter.
Moving to a new city was the answer to her dreams.
Common Curiosities
Is an answer always in response to a question?
Typically, yes, answers address questions or inquiries.
Can one problem have multiple solutions?
Yes, often problems can have various viable solutions.
Is a solution always complex?
No, solutions can be simple or complex based on the problem.
Can a solution be intangible?
Yes, solutions can be strategies, ideas, or methods, not just physical items.
What's a synonym for Answer in the context of replying?
Reply or response.
Are Solution and Answer interchangeable?
Not always. While a solution can be an answer, not every answer is a solution.
Which word is broader in scope, Solution or Answer?
Solution, as it encompasses resolutions to a wider range of issues.
Can an answer be incorrect?
Yes, answers can be right or wrong, while solutions are generally effective or ineffective.
Can a solution be proactive, not just reactive?
Yes, solutions can be designed in anticipation of problems.
Is an explanation the same as an answer?
Not always. An explanation gives detail or reasons, while an answer addresses a specific query.
Is a solution always definitive?
No, some solutions might be temporary or partial.
Can a single answer encompass multiple solutions?
Yes, a comprehensive answer might offer various solutions to a problem.
Why is it important to differentiate between Solution and Answer?
Because while answers address queries, solutions tackle and resolve problems.
Can you provide an answer without knowing the solution?
Yes, one might respond to a query without having a full resolution.
Can an answer be lengthy?
Yes, depending on the question, answers can be brief or detailed.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
