Approximation Definition and 768 Threads

  1. R

    Taylor Series Approximation Help

    Homework Statement Use the "Three Term" Taylor's approximation to find approximate values y_1 through y_20 with h=.1 for this Initial Value Problem: y'= cosh(4x^2-2y^2) y(0)=14 And write a computer program to do the grunt work approximation Homework Equations The Attempt...
  2. A

    Approximation to simple harmonic motion.

    [SOLVED] Approximation to simple harmonic motion. Homework Statement A small mass m, which carries a charge q, is constrained to move vertically inside a narrow, frictionless cylinder. At the bottom of the cylinder is a point mass of charge Q having the same sign as q. Show that if the mass m...
  3. A

    Linear approximation and errors

    [SOLVED] Linear approximation Homework Statement Juan measures the circumference C of a spherical ball at 40cm and computes the ball's volume V. Estimate the maximum possible error in V if the error in C is as most 2cm. Recall that C=2(pi)r and V=(4/3)pi(r) Homework Equations deltaf -...
  4. F

    Archimedes Area Approximation for x^2

    I heard that Archimedes proved geometrically that the area under the curve of x^2 is equal to x^3/3. I was just wondering if anyone could give me a link to the proof or try and explain it. Thanks^^
  5. M

    Airline Problem with Poisson Approximation

    Homework Statement An ailrine always overbooks if possible. A particular plane ha 95 seats on a flight in which a ticket sells for $300. The airline sells 100 such tickets for this flight. Use a Poisson approximation only. (a) If the probbility of an individual not showing is...
  6. V

    FD approximation at internal boundary condition

    Hi, I have to solve diffusion-advection PDE using finite difference method. The problem has two regions with different diffusion coefficients and velocities. At the interface between the two regions types of boundary condition : 1. No contact resistance C1 = C2 - D1*dC1/dx + v1*C1 = -...
  7. K

    An approximation of a differential equation

    Homework Statement Find an approximate oscillating soution of y'' = (y-x)^2 - exp(2*(y-x)) where y=y(x), y'' denotes second deriviate Homework Equations y'' = (y-x)^2 - exp(2*(y-x)) The Attempt at a Solution I try to change a variable with p = y-x, so dy/dx = dp/dx+1 y'' = p''...
  8. M

    (special relativity) derivation of gamma with approximation of v c

    Homework Statement "Use the binomial expansion to derive the following results for values of v << c. a) γ ~= 1 + 1/2 v2/c2 b) γ ~= 1 - 1/2 v2/c2 c) γ - 1 ~= 1 - 1/γ =1/2 v2/c2" (where ~= is approximately equal to) Homework Equations As far as I can tell, just γ = (1-v2/c2)-1/2The Attempt at a...
  9. S

    Approximation of the FE feat. loose notation

    Approximation of the FE feat. "loose notation" I'm looking for a (professional) relativist to help me clarify something. I refer to the article General Relativity Resolves Galactic Rotation Without Exotic Dark Matter by Cooperstock and Tieu, available here...
  10. P

    Approximation of a Circle's Circumference

    I've found a new way for finding the circumference of a circle by using a visual perspective ,an angle of 18 degrees, and law of sines, its formula is: R is the radius of the circle r is the new radius C is the Circumference h=17.7062683767 t=3.23606808139 (R/h)= r (r/t)*360=C with...
  11. I

    Function approximation near a given point

    I've came up to a problem, where I would like to prove that a differentiable function f(x) can be approximated by f(x) = f(x_0) \left(\frac{x}{x_0}\right)^{\alpha} where \alpha = \frac{d \ln f(x)}{d \ln x} \Big |_{x=x_0} But I'm not sure this is true. The problem and solution can be...
  12. A

    Linear Approximation: Approximating \sqrt{4.1}-\sqrt{3.9}

    Homework Statement OK, I'm doing this linear approximation problem: Approximate \sqrt{4.1} - \sqrt{3.9} Homework Equations f(a + h) ~ f(a) + hf`(a) The Attempt at a Solution This is what I have done so far: I approximated each square root separately... 4.1 = 4 + h h = .1 f(x) =...
  13. R

    Taylor's Theorem Approximation

    Homework Statement I need to use Taylor's thm to get an approximation to sqrt(5) with an error of no more than 2^(-9) and am totally lost. Homework Equations Taylor's theorem: Rn(x) = f(n)(y)/n! *x^n -- where f(n) is the nth derivative of f and Rn is R sub n. The Attempt at a...
  14. T

    General covariance be an approximation or violated ?

    Is there a possibility that general covariance be an approximation or violated ?
  15. D

    Why can sqrt(1+x) be approximated by 1+x/2 for small x?

    For small x, it seems sqrt(1+x) can be approximated by 1+x/2. Why exactly is this? Is there a theorem that I can refer to? Some kind of infinite series where the x^4 power term dies out? Thanks!
  16. T

    Question about the weak field approximation

    How come in the weak field approximation, where the metric is equal to, ds^2=-(1+2phi)dt^2 + dr^2(1-2phi). where of course dr is the three distance. why is phi multiplied by 2? I have two more stupid question regarding a different approach. please just explain it to me as i want to to see...
  17. I

    Understanding the Limitations of WKB Approximation in One-Dimensional Problems

    Hi all I have a question about WKB approximation Why is it that WKB method can be applied only to problems that are one dimensional or those which can be reduced to forms that are one dimensional ones? any help is deeply appreciated
  18. F

    Very Easy Taylor Series Approximation Help

    Homework Statement Approximate f by a Taylor polynomial with degree n at the number a. f(x) = x^(1/2) a=4 n=2 4<x<4.2 (This information may not be needed for this, there are two parts but I only need help on the first) Homework Equations Summation f^(i) (a) * (x-a)^i / i! The Attempt at...
  19. T

    Does this hold in general ? (as an approximation only)

    Does this hold in general ?? (as an approximation only) for every real or pure complex number 'a' can we use as an approximation: \sum _{n} exp(-aE_{n}) \sim \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dx \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dp exp(-ap^{2}-aV(x)) So for every x V(x) > 0 in case of real and positive a...
  20. Repetit

    Deriviation of WKB approximation

    Hey! In deriving the WKB approximation the wave function is written as \psi \left( x \right) = exp\left[ i S\left( x \right) \right ] Now, in some of the deriviations I've seen, the function S(x) is expanded as a power series in \hbar as S(x) = S_0(x) + \hbar S_1(x) +...
  21. W

    How Much Paint Is Needed for a Hemispherical Dome?

    Homework Statement Use linear approximation to estimate the amount of paint in cubic centimeters needed to apply a coat of paint 0.100000 cm thick to a hemispherical dome with a diameter of 45.000 meters. Homework Equations Surface Area of sphere=4\pi(r^2) Since it is hemipshereical, the...
  22. quasar987

    Why can we use small angle approximation in Lagrangian mechanics problems?

    In the context of a Lagrangian mechanics problem (a rigid pendulum of length l attached to a mass sliding w/o friction on the x axis), I found the following equations of motion and now I must solve them in the small oscillation limit. (I know the equations are correct)...
  23. E

    Justifying Log Approximation for Low \tau and High E_o

    Hi, In his notes, our teacher makes this approximation: \log(1 + 3e^{-2\frac{E_o}{\tau}}) \approx \log(3e^{-2\frac{E_o}{\tau}}) For \tau << E_o Also, and I don't think this matters, the logs are assumed to be natural logs. I was wondering what the justification for this was...
  24. C

    How Does Quadratic Approximation Determine Local Max/Min?

    hey can som1 please help, i know how to find the quadratic approximation for a given function but i don't know how the quadratic approximation determines a local max/min :confused: This is with regard to multivariable functions. thanks
  25. J

    Questions on WKB approximation

    The description in P.252in liboff's quantum mechanics, I cannot not figure out the continuity and continue in first order derivative of the wave function \varphi_I = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\kappa}} \exp {(\int_{x_1}^{x} \kappa dx)}...
  26. T

    What is the significance of the weak field approximation in general relativity?

    Looks like I really don't have a feel for it. So I was working on this the other day. (arranged in order) http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9613/1gx9.jpg http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4677/2te4.jpg http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7853/3jg9.jpg...
  27. C

    Is there any approximation to the two particle density matrix

    Let phi(x) and phi_dagger(x) be field operators which satisfy the appropriate commutation relations. Then is there any analytic approximation for the two particle density matrix given by <phi_dagger(x)phi_dagger(x')phi(x')phi(x)> Thanks!
  28. E

    Does anyone know any Approximation methods to find complex zeros?

    Does anyone know any relatively simple approximation methods for approximating complex zeros of an analytic function, like say, cos(1/z), for example? Inquisitively, Edwin G. Schasteen
  29. C

    Normal Approximation Help: 200 Student Survey

    Hello ~ I be in dire need of help with this problem because I fell asleep in math class. Could anyone be so kind as to thoroughly guide me through the following problem? "A school has enrolled the same number of boys and girls. Two hundred students are selected at random to participate...
  30. L

    Pade Approximation and it's Applications

    Pade Approximation states that a power series can be written as a rational function. Which is a series divided by another series. (An easy example of this will be the geometric series with mod'r' < 1) I've read books about the abstract bit of this. But I am completely stuck when it goes onto...
  31. R

    How Do You Determine Which Values to Use in Linear Approximation?

    So I have this as the last thing I don't understand before tommorrow's test.. I have tried reading in the book and online, but it's just not clicking for me! There are so many numbers, and it they seem to just plug them in from nowhere. Like some example problems would be like sqrt(25.1)...
  32. M

    Strange UBC approximation question

    I'm in AP Calculuc and was given a homework package, which is an old university introductory calculus exam. There is one particular question with which I'm having a terrible time. It is known that f(0)=5 and the tangent line to the graph of f(x) at (0,5) is y=5+3x. It is also known that...
  33. O

    Help with Taylor's Theorem to obtain error of approximation

    I need to use Taylor's Theorem to obtain the upper bound for the error of the approximation on the following e^{\frac{1}{2}} \approx 1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{{\left( {\frac{1}{2}} \right)^2 }}{{2!}} + \frac{{\left( {\frac{1}{2}} \right)^3 }}{{3!}} Here is an example problem in the textbook I...
  34. O

    4th order Maclaurin Polynomial - Help with error approximation

    I have the the follow 3rd order polynomial approximation for e^3x f(x) = e^{3x} \approx 1 + 3x + \frac{9}{2}x^2 + \frac{9}{2}x^3 In an earlier part of the problem, I found f\left( {\frac{1}{3}} \right) = e^{3\left( {\frac{1}{3}} \right)} \approx 1 + 3\left( {\frac{1}{3}} \right) +...
  35. M

    Probability: ranges in Gaussian approximation

    Hello everyone, I got stuck on a probability question and would be very thankful if someone could give me a hint: An Opaque bag contains 10 green counters and 20 red. One couner is selected at random and then replaced: green scores 1 and red scores zero. 1) Calculate the probability of...
  36. C

    The least squares approximation - best fit lines revisited

    We all know the least squares method to find the best fit line for a collection of random data. But I wonder if it is the best method. Suppose we have two random variables y and x that appear to have a linear relation of the type y = ax+b. What we want is, given the next type x signal to...
  37. N

    What is the Random Walk Transition Matrix in Configuration Space?

    Dear PF, Would you please be so kind and help me with one question? Ive put my question in attached word file since my LATEX does no show me the formulas I type. Would you pls have a glance on my question and give any feedback? Thanks a lot Georeg
  38. tandoorichicken

    Linear Approximation of 3 Variables: Formula Check

    My book gives a formula for linear approximation of two independent variables, but I needed one for three. So I modified the formula given in the book, but I need someone to please just quickly see if it looks okay. Given: f(x,y)=z=f(x_0,y_0)+(\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} (x_0,y_0)) (x-x_0) +...
  39. F

    Convolution with a sinc gives uniform approximation to a function

    Hi everybody. Some students have asked me about problem 2.13 in Mallat's book "A wavelet Tour of Signal Proccessing". After some work on it, I think is not completely correct. I think some hypostesis on modulus of continuity are needed. I attach the statement. Esentially, what it says...
  40. electronic engineer

    Second Approximation of (1+i)^-1 for i<<<1

    I have this algebraic term: (1+i)^-1 where i is very very small i<<<1 if we used second approximation what would it equal to? thanks in advance!
  41. E

    Nevilles Method for approximation

    basically, i don't get it at all. i understand that x0 P0 P01 x1 P1 P012 P12 x2 P2 let's approximate f(x) where x is some number. i have some Pi given and a Pi(i+1) and Pi(i+1)(i+2) i also have the xi i don't know what f(x) is, some...
  42. S

    Regarding approximation theorem

    Hello, The effect of a 2pi periodic function f is defined as P(f) = 1/(2\pi) \int_{-\pi}^\pi |f(t)|^2 \ dt and Parsevals Theorem tells us that P(f) = \sum_{n=\infty}^\infty |c_n|^2 . Now, it seems rather intuituve that the effect of the N'te partial sum is P(Sn) = \sum_{n=-N}^N |c_n|^2 But...
  43. S

    Convergence of Fourier Series for Approximating an Odd 2pi Periodic Function

    A odd 2pi periodic function, for which x \in [0;\pi] is given by f(x)=\frac \pi{96}(x^4-2\pi x^3+\pi^3x) was found to have the Fourier series f(x) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{\sin(2n-1)x}{(2n-1)^5}, \ x \in \mathbb{R} The problem is now: prove that |f(x) - \sin x| \leq 0.01, \forall x \in...
  44. BobG

    Celebrate Pi Approximation Day 22/7

    It's a happy day :biggrin: Today is pi approximation day. The date, written in day/month format, is 22/7. I doubt the celebration will be quite as extravagant as the pi day of 1592 - March 14, 1592 at 6:53:58 (3/14/1592 6:53:58) touched off one the great celebrations in man's history. I...
  45. T

    Finding and approximation for Planck's constant ( H )

    I have a HSC physics assessment task (Yr 12 Australia) due in a few days where we had to take measurements of the photoelectric effect (VStop, Wave no/length, F) etc with different filters and find an approximation for H, by manipulating different equations etc. I already found an fairly...
  46. T

    Method of successive approximation

    Last semester in my course QM 2 we discussed the Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory. A very elegant theory, based on a general principle: when terms are depending on a certain factor to the nth order, where the factor is very small if not infinitesimally small, you can collect the terms...
  47. R

    Taylor Series for Showing B_{x}(x+dx)-B_{x}(x) Approximation

    How do i show that B_{x}(x+dx,y,z)-B_{x}(x,y,z)\approx \frac{\partial B_{x}(x,y,z)}{\partial x} dx using a Taylor series to the first term. Using a Taylor series does B(x) = B(a) + B'(a)(x-a)? In that case what would B(x+dx) be and how can i obtain the desired result from this? Thanks in...
  48. recon

    How Many Buses Departed While Jill Waited for Jack?

    Every day, Jack and Jill agree to meet at a certain time at the nearby bus interchange, where buses depart at equal periods of time. Once, Jill came 15 minutes later and Jack saw 6 buses depart. On a second occasion, Jill came 26 minutes later, and Jack saw 8 buses depart. On another occasion...
  49. W

    Calculating Error in Algebraic Approximation: \Delta f(x,y)

    For a function f(x,y): The error is: \Delta f(x,y) = \sqrt{(\frac{df}{dx})^2+(\frac{df}{dy})^2} Is this a form of the approximation in algebraic error determination: \Delta f(x,y) = \sqrt{f(x+\Delta x,y) + f(x,y+\Delta y)} ? Now I was trying to do this in my bio lab for genetics...
  50. S

    Taylor Approximation Help - Find n Given x, a, ErrorBound

    Hi, I'm having trouble doing my work where I have to find the Taylor Approximation of function. My real work is the program this thing when the function, x, a, and ErrorBound is given. I don't knwo what to do with the ErrorBound to get n, where n is the number of terms. do i make any sense...
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