Variable Definition and 1000 Threads

A variable star is a star whose brightness as seen from Earth (its apparent magnitude) fluctuates.
This variation may be caused by a change in emitted light or by something partly blocking the light, so variable stars are classified as either:

Intrinsic variables, whose luminosity actually changes; for example, because the star periodically swells and shrinks.
Extrinsic variables, whose apparent changes in brightness are due to changes in the amount of their light that can reach Earth; for example, because the star has an orbiting companion that sometimes eclipses it.Many, possibly most, stars have at least some variation in luminosity: the energy output of our Sun, for example, varies by about 0.1% over an 11-year solar cycle.

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  1. J

    Moment Generating Function of normally distributed variable

    Hi guys, I need to find the moment generating function for X ~ N (0,1) and then also the MGF for X2 . I know how to do the first part but I'm unsure for X2. do i use the identity that if Y = aX then MY(t) = E(eY(t)) = E(e(t)aX) or do i just square 2pi-1/2e x2/2 and then solve as...
  2. F

    Projectile motion: solving for variable angle

    Hi, I've been muddling over this problem for a few days. I thought there would be a simple approach, but I'm having trouble reaching a solution. Here is the rundown: We have a 2D projectile launcher. It hurls an object from the origin (0,0) at some initial velocity with magnitude V_i at angle...
  3. H

    Integral variable substitution for removing singularity

    Homework Statement Hi! In an assignment I have reached an integral that has the form: \int\frac{A+Bx+Cx^2}{Dx+Ex^2} where A-E are constants, the integration variable is x and the limits are 0 to 1. I'm supposed to remove the singularity at x=0 by substitution. A-E have values but they're...
  4. S

    Functions of a Complex Variable

    Hi guys. Please help me with this. Consider the Mapping: w = 1/(z-j) questions:(1) Write z as a function of w. (2) Express X and Y in terms of u and v. (3) Find and describe the image of the line x = 1 under this mapping. Homework...
  5. N

    Matrices- Variable in Matrices-Help

    Matrices- Variable in Matrices-Help! 1-19-12 I need help. I have a homework question that I have tried to solve. The matrix in the attachment has no inverse. Explain how you can determine the value of x. Then find x. I tried cross multiplying. 3*2/3=4x 6/3=4x 2=4x x=2/4 x=1/2
  6. N

    Designing & Engineering Variable Pitch Turbochargers

    I want to design build and overall engineer a variable pitch turbocharger. This will go a long way in regulating both the hot and compressor sides flow rates, a larger turbo can essentially be used in smaller applications, and vice-versa. I want to use the VNT or VGT type turbos for my testbed.
  7. T

    Variable Frequency Generator question

    As you can probably guess by my last few posts, I'm looking into resonance right now. I thought it would be interesting to make a device that could hit a specific resonant frequency, maybe even smash an object. Sure, people have done it, but...fun :) Anyhow, I was looking on how to make one...
  8. E

    Hidden Variable - How to calculate the straight line

    There are plots that compare the expectation value E(a,b) of (i) a hidden variable theory (ii) quantum mechanics For example here: 1. Talk given by Alain Aspect, video at 2m28s 2. PF Thread: The Unfair Sampling Assumption & Bell Tests For the hidden variable theory the expectation...
  9. S

    Estimation, negative binomial variable

    Hey, there's this thing I can't wrap my head around. Let's say we have a negative binomial variable x, with parameters p and r. That is, x is the number of failures we get before the rth sucess, while looking at random bernolli variables with sucsess rate p. It can be shown that...
  10. T

    Mathematica Mathematica setting variable to be real number

    Hi All, I am trying to solve a set of coupled non-linear algebraic equations. I'm doing this using the LinearSolve fcn of mathematica and an implementation of the Newton-Raphson method. One of the issues I'm having is that I need to tell mathematica that one of these variables,let's say x...
  11. M

    2 variable binomial distribution?

    I'm having a bit of trouble understanding a probability distribution of 2 variables. Take for example taking n cards from a deck, and seeing what is the probability of getting X queens and say Y aces (with replacement). This involves the binomial distribution. The probabilities for the...
  12. F

    Fibonacci numbers as coefficients in three variable system of equations

    I've been fooling around with the Fibonacci sequence for some time and I thought it would be interesting to see what would happen if I made the coefficients in a three variable system of equations follow that sequence. The results are intriguing and enigmatic. I discovered the following...
  13. P

    Laplace Transform of Systems of ODEs with variable coefficients

    Homework Statement Say you have: EQ1: y1''*t+y1'*t+y2=0 and EQ2: y2''*t+y2'*t+y1=0 y1(0)=0,y1'(0)=0,y2(0)=0,y2'(0)=0 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I can get it so far, but having both y1 and y2 really gives me fits: Eq1: Y1(-2s-1)+dY1/ds(-s2-s)=-Y2...
  14. A

    Show that a Gaussian Distribution Corresponds to a CTS random variable.

    Going over my Lecture Notes my Lecturer as Started with Show that a Gaussian Distribution Corresponds to a CTS random variable. Then she has i) Taken the f(x) = [p.d.f] and shown a) f(x) >= 0 for all x member of real numbers. b) Integral over all real numbers = 1 ii) Found the M.G.F then...
  15. M

    Electronic Variable fan speed controller (design help)

    Evening gents, I am somewhat of a novice with electronics, but nonetheless am working on a temp. controlled computer fan but I've run into some trouble and need some help! My basic layout is a thermistor implemented as a voltage divider (with a resistor of course) which feeds into an amp...
  16. T

    Use member types to declare variable

    The STL containers have a lot of member types, so I assume they must be there for declaring variables of those types. However, I can't discern how exactly it is that I'm supposed to use those member types to declare a variable. For example:map<int, char> t; t::key_type u; // I want this to...
  17. B

    How to integrate the delta function of complex variable?

    It is easy to integrate the delta function of real variable. But when the argument of the delta function is complex, I get stuck. For example, how to calculate the integral below, where u is a complex constant: \int_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {f\left( x \right)\delta \left( {ux}...
  18. T

    Probability generating function for random variable

    Homework Statement A random variable X has probability generating function gX(s) = (5-4s2)-1 Calculate P(X=3) and P(X=4) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Ehh don't really know where to go with one... I know: gX(s) = E(sx) = Ʃ p(X=k)(sk) Nit sure how to proceed.. Any help would...
  19. T

    Distribution of Bernoulli random variable

    Homework Statement a) Let X1, X2, ...XN be a collection of independent Bernoulli random variables. What is the distribution of Y = \sumNi = 1 Xi b) Show E(Y) = np Homework Equations Bernoulli equations f(x) = px(1-p)1-x The Attempt at a Solution a)X1 + X2 + ... + XN = p...
  20. V

    Time variable of space-time at the end of universe

    Time variable of space-time at the end of universe... As universe is continuously expanding at the accelerating speed...expansion of the universe causes Redshift...the whole universe is made up of the tiny particles and the material. Because of this all the material particles of the universe...
  21. A

    Center of mass of solid hemisphere by using angle as variable.

    Homework Statement I've just started with center of mass, and instead of the method in the book, I tried solving the center of mass for a solid hemisphere using angle as a variable, but the answer didn't match. A small disk of mass "dm" is taken, which subtends an angle "dθ" at the center.The...
  22. J

    How Do You Calculate the Radius of a Variable Capacitor's Plates?

    Homework Statement A multi plate variable capacitor has 4 pair of plates. The plates, when closed, are separated in air by 0.01mm and a capacitance range of 10 to 400pF. a) Estimate the required radius R of each plate. b) The capacitor is set to maximum 400pF and is charged to 10V...
  23. M

    Determine constant c that random variable will have a t distribution?

    Determine constant c so that random variable will have a t distribution? Homework Statement Suppose that five random variables x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 are independent and have normal distribution N(0,1). Determine a constant c such that the random variable c*(x1+x2)/\sqrt{x_3^2 + x_4^2 +...
  24. K

    Can an integral that is a variable of itself be solved analytically?

    Almost two months ago I posted the following question: I probably wasn't specific enough in my question to really get the answer I wanted. So I now ask, "Can an integral that is a variable of itself be solved analytically?"
  25. P

    Semicontinuity for single variable function. What is it all about?

    Let f: X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}. The definition given for upper semicontinuity at a point a is for any positive \epsilon there is a positive \delta such that if |x - a| < \delta then f(x) < f(a) + \epsilon. My understanding is, for ordinary continuity at the point a then the inequality...
  26. V

    Limit of function of several variable

    Homework Statement lim(x,y)->(0,0) x2y / 2x3-y3 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I found lim f(x,0)=0 and lim f(0,y)=0.So i assume limit exists and equals 0? I would like to get some tips on how to solve this type of problems?Do I always find f(x,0) and f(0,y)?Because I...
  27. T

    Question about frictionless motion with variable acceleration.

    1. Person is climbing a mountain with rope attached to rock on a flat surface above for support. The slope has an incline angle of 50 degrees. The rock is on frictionless ground, and the mass of the rope can be ignored. The person (100 kg) is 3 meters from the flat surface, the rock (700 kg) is...
  28. N

    Rotating Cylinder of Variable Density

    Homework Statement Solid cylinder: H=0.14m, R=0.05m. Mass density ∂=900-(900r/0.05), where r is distance from axis of the cylinder. A string of negligible mass and length 0.85m is wound around the cylinder, which is set spinning by a horizontal pull on the string with F=2.5N. The cylinder...
  29. D

    Maple plot3d variable increment

    I have an equation with two variables x and y. I wish to plot a function in 3d (let's say cosine) with x and y as parameters. I know the plot3d command in Maple is as follows: plot3d(cos(x+y),x=-1..1, y =-1..1); My question is this: how would I modify the increment values of x and y which...
  30. I

    Can Variable Coefficients in an ODE Be Simplified for Easier Solution?

    i want to solve the following differential equation: y''(x) - A*y'(x) - B*exp(-C*A*x)*y(x) = M*exp(-N*x) A,B,C,M,N are constants. -is there any solution of the above equation (except series solution)? -is there any proper substitution that can turn the variable coefficient into constant...
  31. K

    Multivariable change of variable.

    Hi there. In the multivariate case it is proven that if X~Nm(U, S) and Y = a + CX where C is an invertible n x n matrix, and S is the covariance matrix then: Y ~ Nm(a + CU, CSC') I am trying to apply this proof to a similar problem. If we have X1...Xk with Xi ~ Nm(Ui, Si) where i = 1...k...
  32. R

    Polynomial transformation of random variable

    Homework Statement Given a random variable X with a known distribution (e.g. a beta distribution), find the distribution of f(X) = X^2 + X The Attempt at a Solution I've tried the normal approaches: the standard transformation theorem; conditioning on X; Laplace transformation, etc...
  33. C

    Work done by a variable force question

    Homework Statement That's a graph of Force in Newtons (y axis) vs displacement in meters (x axis) for an object of mass 3.0kg that is moving along the x-axis and initially starts at rest. I am being asked to find the total work done on the object as it moves from x = 0 to x = 7...
  34. Q

    A question related to an exponential random variable

    Hi all, Could you please answer my following question related to an exponential random variable? Thank you. Let X represent the waiting times at a telephone in an office. Assume that X is an exponential random variable with parameter λ: P(X < t) = 1 - e^{-λ*t} At each time when the...
  35. M

    Variable Resistance across a Bulb

    Homework Statement A light bulb and a resistor are connected in series to a variable power supply. A student first connects a voltmeter and an ammeter to measure the current through and the voltage across the bulb, as shown in the left circuit. The student varies the power supply voltage and...
  36. P

    Compute the limit (with variable in exponent)

    Homework Statement Compute the following sequence (show your work) (-2)n+3n ÷ (-2)n+1+3n+1 The Attempt at a Solution (-2)n+3n ÷ (-2)n(-2)+3n3n After this I don't know what to do. I know that if I can prove that something smaller than this for all n's converges to +∞, this will...
  37. A

    Can variable stars become quickly non variable and viceversa?

    Can a variable star become a non variable one? Or viceversa, can a non variable, as it is (almost) the sun, become quickly (say few thousands of years) a variable one? Is there any record (e.g. in the geological records) which shows that the sun had once a very different luminosity? Has this...
  38. B

    Transformation of random variable

    Hello, I have a really tough time understanding this concept although this isn't anything more complex than a composition of functions. I have a done example from my book that I am trying to interpret. p_\xi (x)=\frac{1}{\pi} for an interval between [0,∏] The...
  39. O

    Motor Resisting Variable Downward Force

    I have a system where a cable is pulled down with a load of 100-200 lb. I need a motor that resists this load with a force that can be programmed to be anywhere from 5-30 pounds. I don't want the motor to stop the downward motion, just to offset the magnitude of the force pulling down on the...
  40. F

    Rearranging to eliminate the R variable in volume equation

    A water glass (10 cm diameter at the top, 6 cm diameter at the bottom, 20 cm in height) is being filled at a rate of 50 cm^3/min. Find the rate of change of the height of the water after 5 seconds. V=(∏* (h/3)) * (R^2 + r^2 +(R*r)) I've been messing around with this for a bit and made a...
  41. M

    Analytic Function of Complex Variable z=x+iy

    Which of the following is an analytic function of the the complex variable z = x+iy in the domain lzl <2 ? (3+x-iy)^7 [(1+x+iy)^4]*[(7-x-iy)^3] [(1-2x-iy)^4]*[(3-x-iy)^3] (x+iy-1)^1/2
  42. M

    Differentiability of a two variable function with parameter

    Homework Statement For which parameter \alpha\in\mathbb{R} the function: f(x, y)= \begin{cases}|x|^\alpha \sin(y),&\mbox{ if } x\ne 0;\\ 0, & \mbox{ if } x=0\end{cases} is differentiable at the point (0, 0)? The Attempt at a Solution For α<0, the function is not continue at (0, 0)...
  43. S

    Mean of a square of a random variable

    Homework Statement If Z has a standard gaussian distribution then what is the distribution of Z2 and what is its mean? The Attempt at a Solution Let T = Z2 Then we can get that pdf T = e-T/2(1+1/T) x (1/√(2∏T) I am not sure if this is correct and don't know how to find the...
  44. 4

    Is there evidence for a local hidden variable model in quantum physics?

    what did bell show concerning the existence of a local hidden variable model for quantum physics?
  45. A

    How to calculate median of grouped data if group size is variable

    I learned in school that Median = L + (n/2-cf)*h/f where L = lower limit of median class n = no. of observations cf = cumulative frequency of class preceding the median class, f = frequency of median class, h = class size (assuming class size to be equal). I used to use this formula for...
  46. E

    Variable power as an axis, nonsense? please comment

    Hello, Does anyone know if this makes sense or is usable? I've only been able to describe it through a graph. Instead of the x-axis being numbers, being powers of x. Let me clarify - where normally would be x=0,1,2,3... would now be x^0, x^1, x^2, x^3 and the y-axis would be values of...
  47. G

    The inverse of uniform random variable

    Hi all I'm looking for solving this problem to find the closed form solution if it is possible: Y=\frac{1}{X} Where X is uniform random variable > 0 I know the expected value for X which is \overline{X} is there a method to find the expected value of Y which is \overline{Y} in term of...
  48. W

    Mgf of a random variable with added constant

    Hey, I have a pdf of a random variable Z given. I am being asked to calculate what the moment generating function of a r.v Y= Z + c will be where c is a constant in ℝ I tried to calculate it in the following way: \int^∞_0 e^{(z+c)t} f(z+c)dz where f(z) is an exponential pdf with...
  49. A

    Limit the RPM of output Shaft having variable input RPM from another shaft

    Hi Shaft A has variable RPM, getting input from some rotating element (say X), ranging from 0 to 2000. The RPM of X cannot be adjusted or controlled. A has to transfer the rotation with limiting RPM of upto 400 to Shaft B. Is there a way to limit the RPM using a mechanism such that at...
  50. P

    Compute the limit (exponents with variable)

    Homework Statement Compute the limits of the following sequence (show your work): 3n+17n+3 4n5n-2 (sorry if it looks funny ... the top line is divided by the bottom line) The Attempt at a Solution I was thinking that I should get the exponents the same and add/subtract the...
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