Which of the following represents a neutralization reaction's equation?

A neutralization reaction is a specific type of chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base. The general representation of such a reaction results in the formation of a salt and water. This occurs because acids produce hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) in solution, while bases produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻). When these ions combine, they form water (H₂O), and the remaining ions react to form a salt.

In the context of the provided options, the first choice accurately reflects this chemical principle. A strong base will readily react with an acid to produce the corresponding salt and water, making the equation representative of a classic neutralization reaction.

The other options suggest variations of reactions that do not conform to the standard definition of neutralization. While they may describe other types of chemical reactions, they do not specifically depict the formation of both salt and water from an acid-base interaction. Thus, the choice that indicates acid plus strong base equals salt plus water truly encapsulates the essence of a neutralization reaction.