Equity, in the context of referring to the finance and business, is the value that a company has after all of its debts and obligations, such as loans and mortgages, are taken into account. In essence, equity represents the value that would remain in a company if all of its assets were liquidated and all its debts were paid off. Equity is the number that ultimately highlights the total of how much is owned to the shareholders. It is important to note that equity is not the same as the net worth of a company - equity is the value of ownership interest alone, and net worth includes the value of assets and liabilities as well.

Equity, also known as book value, is calculated by subtracting all of a company’s liabilities from its assets. This is often referred to as the shareholder’s equity. The total of the shareholder's equity can be divided amongst the shareholders in the organization, based on their ownership stake.

Investors can use the equity of a company to determine the investment attractiveness of a company. A higher equity figure means more capital for a company to use for improvements, expansion, investments and acquisitions. In contrast, if a company has a low equity figure, it may be strapped for cash and may even be at risk of bankruptcy if poor management continues.

In addition to the equity of a company, the term equity can also refer to the value of a homeowner's property (after any debts are taken into account). This is called 'home equity' and is calculated by subtracting any mortgages that exist on the property from the market value of the property.

Equity is an important concept in finance and business, and is a measurement used by investors to gauge the investment potential of a company. It is also an important concept to consider for homeowners when looking at the worth of their property and any debts incurred. By understanding the concept of equity, both investors and homeowners can make informed decisions that will ultimately benefit them financially.