Formula Definition and 1000 Threads

In science, a formula is a concise way of expressing information symbolically, as in a mathematical formula or a chemical formula. The informal use of the term formula in science refers to the general construct of a relationship between given quantities.
The plural of formula can be either formulas (from the most common English plural noun form) or, under the influence of scientific Latin, formulae (from the original Latin).In mathematics, a formula generally refers to an identity which equates one mathematical expression to another, with the most important ones being mathematical theorems. Syntactically, a formula(often referred to as a well-formed formula) is an entity which is constructed using the symbols and formation rules of a given logical language. For example, determining the volume of a sphere requires a significant amount of integral calculus or its geometrical analogue, the method of exhaustion. However, having done this once in terms of some parameter (the radius for example), mathematicians have produced a formula to describe the volume of a sphere in terms of its radius:




V
=


4
3


π

r

3




{\displaystyle V={\frac {4}{3}}\pi r^{3}}
.Having obtained this result, the volume of any sphere can be computed as long as its radius is known. Here, notice that the volume V and the radius r are expressed as single letters instead of words or phrases. This convention, while less important in a relatively simple formula, means that mathematicians can more quickly manipulate formulas which are larger and more complex. Mathematical formulas are often algebraic, analytical or in closed form.In modern chemistry, a chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound, using a single line of chemical element symbols, numbers, and sometimes other symbols, such as parentheses, brackets, and plus (+) and minus (−) signs. For example, H2O is the chemical formula for water, specifying that each molecule consists of two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom. Similarly, O−3 denotes an ozone molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms and a net negative charge.
In a general context, formulas are a manifestation of mathematical model to real world phenomena, and as such can be used to provide solution (or approximated solution) to real world problems, with some being more general than others. For example, the formula

F = mais an expression of Newton's second law, and is applicable to a wide range of physical situations. Other formulas, such as the use of the equation of a sine curve to model the movement of the tides in a bay, may be created to solve a particular problem. In all cases, however, formulas form the basis for calculations.
Expressions are distinct from formulas in that they cannot contain an equals sign (=). Expressions can be liken to phrases the same way formulas can be liken to grammatical sentences.

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  1. AN630078

    What is the focal length of the lens?

    Question 1. i Suggest a reason why any uncertainty in the values of u can be neglected. I am really rather unsure how to answer this question but I have produced my opinion nonetheless. One could assume that the uncertainty in object distance u, i.e., the distance from the lens to the light...
  2. H

    MHB Sequence of b_{k} with Explicit Formula: Proving by Math Induction

    b_{k} = b_{k - 1}/2 +b_{k-1} b_{0} = 1 What would be the sequence for this expression, I calculated it to be 1, 2/3, 2/5, 2/7 ... Is it right? My explicit formula is b_{n} = 2/n+2 What would be the explicit formula in your view and how can that formula be proved by mathematical...
  3. aspodkfpo

    Change in radius over time for a spherical ball formula

    Algebra in this answer does not seem to flow right. Firstly, the 16, secondly the n term. Can someone explain or show me the right answer?
  4. J

    A Riemann Tensor Formula in Terms of Metric & Derivatives

    Could someone please write out or post a link to the Riemann Tensor written out solely in terms of the metric and its first and second derivatives--i.e. with the Christoffel symbol gammas and their first derivatives not explicitly appearing in the formula. Thanks.
  5. aspodkfpo

    How does this exponential decay formula get derived?

    https://www.asi.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PhysicsASOE2013soln.pdf Q12 e) Working backwards, P = Ae^kt form, i.e. EAts = Emin e^(ln2/τ x t). Not sure how they get this formula in the first place with these values.
  6. C

    I Cauchy Integral Formula with a singularity

    Dear Everyone, I am wondering how to use the integral formula for a holomorphic function at all points except a point that does not exist in function's analyticity. For instance, Let f be defined as $$f(z)=\frac{z}{e^z-i}$$. F is holomorphic everywhere except for $$z_n=i\pi/2+2ni\pi$$ for all...
  7. C

    MHB Using Cauchy Integral Formula for Laurent Series Coefficients

    Dear Everyone, I am wondering how to use the integral formula for a holomorphic function at all points except a point that does not exist in function's analyticity. For instance, Let $f$ be defined as $$f(z)=\frac{z}{e^z-i}$$. $f$ is holomorphic everywhere except for $z_n=i\pi/2+2ni\pi$ for...
  8. L

    Cost Estimation capacity exponent formula

    To estimate the cost of an item of equipment or plant from another of a known cost and size or capacity , we use a well known formula Cost B = Cost A * ( CapacityB/Capacity A)^n, where n is a factor usually around 0.5-0.8 depending on the plant or equipment involved. These exponents are...
  9. Steven Ellet

    I Looking for a formula (how many possible connections between 2 sets of objects?)

    I am looking for a formula that will them me how many possible connections between 2 sets of objects. Ex: 12 on left and 4 on right, how many possible states can it be in? state one: top on left connected to top on right state two: top on left connected to 2 on right state three: top on left...
  10. M

    I An Alternative Variance Formula

    I derived (trivially) an expression for the variance of a random variable (which I had never noticed before). Let ##X## be a random variable with cdf ##F(x)## then (assuming finite second moment). ##Var(X)=\frac{1}{2}\int\int (x-y)^2dF(x)dF(y)##. Is this expression of any use?
  11. S

    Using a determinant to find the area of the triangle (deriving the formula)

    This is the question. The following is the solutions I found: I understand that the first line was derived by setting one vertex on origin and taking the transpose of the matrix. However, I cannot understand where the extra row and column came from in the second line. Can anyone explain how...
  12. Sagittarius A-Star

    B Potential Energy formula in Special Relativty

    Reference frame is an accelerated frame in SR (uniformly accelerated with "g" in flat spacetime). An object is falling with relativitic velocity of up to 0.8 c in the pseudo-gravitational field in this frame. From Newton's theory, I know the formula for potential energy in such a scenario: ##W...
  13. johnboyman

    Problems figuring out this inductance formula

    Hello. I am working this formula. I= 1/L∫Vdt . The following website have the best explanation of it. http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Inductor-current-calculator.php I am confused with a few things about it. One is that this website says If the current is Ac then the value...
  14. hackedagainanda

    What is the distance formula problem for achieving an average speed of 50 mph?

    I'm pretty lost on this one. I think he needs to drive the second mile at 75 miles per hour to average 50 miles per hour. So he needs to drive the second mile at a rate of 1.5 minutes which would = 75/1.5 = 50 So my answer for 1. 1.5 minutes, and my answer for 2. is Yes, at 75 miles per hour...
  15. M

    I How could Euler have gone about creating his buckling formula?

    Admittedly Euler was a genius and I am a noob, but I sometimes feel that there must have been a method or process that he followed to go about such problems and came up with these elegant solutions. It couldn't have been just a sudden flash of genius. For example, I wonder how he could have come...
  16. Sabertooth

    Transforming Y-axis table values into a separate formula?

    Hey everyone, I have generated a nice little velocity vs time graph that I would love if somebody could help me put to use. I have marked data points on the x-axis for the Y-value for every second on the function. Just to be clear: X-axis = time in seconds & Y-axis = velocity in meters/second...
  17. L

    Chemistry Find the formula of a hydrocarbon using combustion data

    number of moles of CO2 =0.089moles (using 2/22.4) number of moles of water = 0.067 (using 1.205/18) I know that all the carbon from the hydrocarbon is in the CO2 and all the hydrogen from the hydrocarbon is in the water and water creates x2 hydrogens so number of moles of C : H = 0.089 ...
  18. R

    Cylindrical Conductors Carrying a Current I -- Formula (?)

    How can I' be the formula above? Is there any formula to get this same
  19. M

    B Exponential formula for Excel sheet

    Hello, i am testing batteries for a project of mine. I first measure the voltage on the battery (OCV, Open Circuit Voltage), and then i place a load resistor over the battery. This results in a voltage drop with a exponential decrease in voltage like in the image. But i am working with a...
  20. A

    A A trend formula for the variance

    In a paper published in the JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL PSYCHOLOGY 39, 265-274 (1995), formulas are provided on page 272 for the expectation E(Tn) of a random variable T as dependent on n (formulas 28 and 29). Now I would like to know what these formulas look like for the variance i.e. Var(Tn).
  21. M

    MHB Proving the Formula for Determinants by Induction

    Hey! Let $\mathbb{K}$ be a field and let $1\leq n\in \mathbb{N}$. Let $a_0, \ldots , a_{n-1}\in \mathbb{K}$ and let $m_n\in M_n(\mathbb{K})$ be given by \begin{equation*}m_n:=\begin{pmatrix}0 & 0 & \ldots & 0 & -a_0 \\ 1 & \ddots & \ddots & \vdots & \vdots \\ 0 & \ddots & \ddots & 0 & \vdots...
  22. Buzz Bloom

    I Formula: velocity of circular orbit wrt Schwartzschild metric

    Below are equations/formulas/text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarzschild_geodesics https://hepweb.ucsd.edu/ph110b/110b_notes/node75.html I apologize for not remembering the source for the "v=" equation, or for my inability to find it again. For a circular orbit, the distance r and...
  23. S

    Simplifying expressions using Euler's formula

    The following is the questions given. I solved the first one, which steps are shown below. But I am not sure if this is how the question wants me to solve the problem. Would you tell me if the way I solved the problem is the proper way of simplifying the expression using euler's formula...
  24. evinda

    MHB Find the general formula of the recurrence relation

    Hello! (Wave) Suppose that we have the recurrence relation $a_k=3^k-a_{k-1}, a_0=1$. By replacing the terms of the sequence we get that it is equal to $a_k=3^k-3^{k+1}+3^{k+2}-a_{k-3}$. How do we get that it is equal to $a_k=3^{k}-3^{k-1}+3^{k-2}- \dots+ (-1)^k$ ? :unsure: Also, why is the...
  25. PGaccount

    A Feynman-Kac Formula: Exploring the Logic and Connection to the Path Integral

    Take a path in spacetime. The amplitude for this path is eiS. The paths which are very close to the classical path are the ones that contribute to the path integral. All these paths have approximately the same amplitude eiSclassical. This means that the final amplitude is equal to NeiSclassical...
  26. JD_PM

    I Understanding how to derive the relativistic-relative velocity formula

    I was studying how to derive the cross-section formula in the CoM frame from Mandl & Shaw QFT's book, and they state the following formula for the relative velocity (I'm going to use Vanhees71's notation though) $$\omega_1 \omega_2 v_{rel} = [(p_1 p_2)^2 - m_1^2 m_2^2]^{1/2} \ \ \ \ (2)$$ Then...
  27. JD_PM

    I Understanding how to derive the cross-section formula in the CoM frame

    We work in natural units. Let's assume in this post that the differential cross-section of two particles that, after collision, yield ##N## particles is given by the following formula: $$d \sigma = (2\pi)^4 \delta^{(4)} (\sum p'_f - \sum p_i) \frac{1}{4 E_1 E_2 v_{rel}} \Pi_l (2m_l) \Pi_f...
  28. JD_PM

    A Understanding how to derive the differential cross-section formula

    Please let me make questions after showing what I am studying. We first consider two particles (they may be either leptons or photons) with initial (i.e. before collision) four momentum ##p_i = (E_i, \mathbf p_i)##, ##i=1,2##. These two collide and produce ##N## final particles with momentum...
  29. C

    MHB Finding a formula for the multiplication of multiple formal power series

    Dear Everyone, I am having trouble with finding a formula of the multiplication 3 formula power series. \[ \left(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_nx^n \right)\left(\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} b_kx^k \right)\left(\sum_{m=0}^{\infty} c_mx^m \right) \] Work: For the constant term: $a_0b_0c_0$ For The linear...
  30. G

    MHB Understanding Cubic Equation Formula for Polynomials of Degree Three

    Hi, Can someone please help me in understanding few parameters of cubic equation formula for solving polynomial of degree three. I attached the formula in the screenshot. My questions are: (1) what is ". " dot in the end of the formula and what does it mean? (2) I want to use it only for real...
  31. JD_PM

    A Understanding how to derive the stress-energy tensor formula

    Tong proposes the following exercise in this lecture (around 25:30, section b)): Exercise statement: Prove that the stress-energy tensor is given by the functional derivative of the action with respect to ##\delta g^{\mu \nu}## $$T_{\mu \nu} = \frac{-2}{\sqrt{-g}} \frac{\delta S}{\delta...
  32. G

    MHB Minimize a function: Find value of x that result in lowest value of formula

    Hi, I have this formula, What I want is to find the value of "x" (without trying all possibilities) so that the result of the formula will be the lowest possible value under the constraint when x !=0, and x<n. Here, values of A,B,C, Q, R,n are already known and fixed...
  33. Adesh

    What actually is the centripetal acceleration formula?

    Centripetal force is defined as the force causing the body to follow a curved path, acting towards the center and always orthogonal to the direction of motion. For uniform circular motion the formula for centripetal acceleration is $$a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$$. But my understanding of centripetal...
  34. A

    Comp Sci Calculating a math formula using void function-recursion in C

    how can i write a function that calculate math formula using void function-recursion in C?
  35. JD_PM

    Prove the well-established (in GR) stress-energy tensor formula

    Prove that the stress-energy tensor is given by the functional derivative of the action with respect to ##\delta g^{\mu \nu}## $$T_{\mu \nu} = \frac{-2}{\sqrt{-g}} \frac{\delta S}{\delta g^{\mu \nu}}$$ Tong suggests (around 25:30) we could get the desired tensor by performing a...
  36. K

    I Best Formula for Fitting Nuclear Charge Radius Data

    Hello! Can someone point me towards some papers/readings providing formulas (derived theoretically or based on experimental data) for the nuclear charge radius? Almost all the papers where I found a formula for that are of the form ##aA^b+c##, where a, b and c are constants and A is the mass...
  37. L

    Engineering Help with Homework: Solving a Math Formula

    i want to ask about my homework im not understand what to do with this formula :
  38. Ennio

    I Velocity correction´ formula for the rotation of the Earth

    Let´s suppose we are observing the sun and measuring some spectral lines. Does the velocity correction´s formula for the Earth include the rotational velocity components of the Sun as well? or rather are we basically measuring both velocity contributes of Earth and of Sun together (receeding...
  39. T

    B How to create a parabolic formula - For Weight Loss

    Hello all I was hoping someone can help with the following problem. I am trying to create a parabolic formula to give me target weight. For example:- Day 1 = Target Weight 100kg Day 112 = Target Weight 67kg Each day is consecutive - can anyone help me to create a parabolic formula that goes...
  40. H

    Formula for calculating the wavelength of sound in interference

    Here is a diagram of experiment: Here is the results: Average distance between nodes (cm) Frequency (hz) Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 500 253 176 105 1000 333 438 None My analysis: ƛ/2=D ∴ƛ=2D where ƛ=wavelength (cm) D=distance between nodes/antinodes (the average,cm) 500hz: Line 1...
  41. ChrisXenon

    Is the diffraction grating formula wrong?

    So, two wave fronts leave adjacent "slits" in a grating and head for a screem When they get to a point of local maximum, they will have interfered constructively, and so they must be in phase. Therefore the path different will be a whole multiple of the wavelenth. People routinely draw a right...
  42. M

    Formula for calculating wavelength of sound waves in interference?

    The values calculated was nowhere near the theoretical values, though I guessed they won't be as the results recorded was incredibly inaccurate. My teacher acknowledged the fact the final values won't be close to the theoretical ones but also said that my formula was wrong, that it works to find...
  43. C

    I Did Einstein Formulate an Aberration of Light Using Tangents?

    Hello, everyone. I am trying to find an aberration of light formula in Einstein's writings that is given in terms of tangents. I did a fairly thorough internet search and all I could find was the formula he wrote in terms of cosines. Yet I have a vague memory that somewhere he did give the...
  44. L

    What other information is needed to solve this equation involving b?

    the equation is not equal not to anything (example: 3x = 6) and i don't know how to resolve [e ^ - (b / 2m) t].
  45. P

    Drum and Cable Problem - Formula and Workings

    Hi everyone, please could someone assist in the formula for the above A, B, C, D, E and F in order for me to try and resolve the maths questions, I'm just a little stuck on the formula, Thanks in advance all :-)
  46. E

    What Happens to Relative Velocity When Coordinate Systems Differ?

    Wikipedia gives, "The relative velocity ##{\displaystyle {\vec {v}}_{B\mid A}}## is the velocity of an object or observer B in the rest frame of another object or observer A." Suppose the coordinate system being used in the rest frame of ##A## is has its origin slightly displaced from ##A##...
  47. ckirmser

    Might there be a formula to determine when watch hands coincide?

    Summary:: Is there a formula to determine when watch hands overlap? The other day, I was sitting on the can and, as I am won't to do, pondering matters of import to the known and unknown universe at large. During the event in question, I happened to notice my watch - and I am having the most...
  48. B

    Finding a general formula for the nth derivative of a partial fraction

    Moved from technical math section, so missing the homework template Summary:: Find a general formula for the nth derivative Hi everyone! How would I approach and answer a Q such as this I began by rewriting the expression in a different form, then used chain rule to each given term I...
  49. e2m2a

    A Euclid's formula and real numbers

    Recently I created a spreadsheet that generates Phythagorean triples. Curious, instead of using only positive integers for the values of m and n, I found that as long as m>n, the sides 2mn, msq + nsq, msq - nsq, still form the sides of a right triangle even though m and n are non-whole...
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