What is Approximation: Definition and 761 Discussions

An approximation is anything that is intentionally similar but not exactly equal to something else.

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  1. CDL

    Adiabatic Approximation in Hydrogen Atom

    Homework Statement Assume that Planck's constant is not actually constant, but is a slowly varying function of time, $$\hbar \rightarrow \hbar (t)$$ with $$\hbar (t) = \hbar_0 e^{- \lambda t}$$ Where ##\hbar_0## is the value of ##\hbar## at ##t = 0##. Consider the Hydrogen atom in this case...
  2. J

    Derive lowest order (linear) approximation

    Homework Statement For a single mechanical unit lung, assume that the relationship among pressure, volume, and number of moles of ideal gas in the ling is given by PA((VL)/(NL)a = K, where a = 1 and K is a constant. Derive the lowest-order (linear approximation to the relationship among changes...
  3. BookWei

    What is the second-order Born approximation?

    Homework Statement Equation (10.30) in Jackson is the first-order Born approximation. What is the second-order Born approximation? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I can get the first-order Born approximation in Jackson's textbook. If I want to obtain the second-order (or n-th...
  4. Z

    Help with Newton root approximation proof

    Homework Statement Suppose we have: ## f(x) = x^2 - b ## ## b > 0 ## ## x_0 = b ## And a sequence is defined by: ## x_{i+1} = x_i - \frac{f(x_i)}{f'(x_i) } ## prove ## \forall i \in N ( x_i > 0 ) ## Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution a)Here I tried solving for ## x_1 ## as...
  5. Allan McPherson

    Approximating Damped Oscillator Time Period and Frequency with Large n

    Homework Statement An oscillator when undamped has a time period T0, while its time period when damped. Suppose after n oscillations the amplitude of the damped oscillator drops to 1/e of its original value (value at t = 0). (a) Assuming that n is a large number, show that...
  6. M

    MHB Normal Approximation Problem Solving

    I'm unsure on how to start this problem. I tried to make a tree diagram but to no avail did it help out. Question: On average, Mike Weir scores a birdie on about 20.9% of all the holes he plays. Mike is in contention to win a PGA golf tournament but he must birdie at least 4 holes of the last 6...
  7. M

    MHB Approximation of eigenvalue with power method

    Hey! :o We have \begin{equation*}A:=\begin{pmatrix}-5.7 & -61.1 & -32.9 \\ 0.8 & 11.9 & 7.1 \\ -1.1 & -11.8 & -7.2\end{pmatrix} \ \text{ and } \ z^{(0)}:=\begin{pmatrix}1\\ 1 \\ 1\end{pmatrix}\end{equation*} I want to approximate the biggest (in absolute value) eigenvalue of $A$ with the...
  8. Pushoam

    Approximation for a slipped pendulum

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Applying conservation of potential energy, ## mgL (1 - \cos{ \theta_0}) = mg(L + \delta ) (1 - \cos{ \theta_1}) ## ## \cos{ \theta_1} - \cos{ \theta_0} = \frac { \delta - \delta \cos{ \theta_1}} L ##Taking the...
  9. T

    Poisson distribution ( approximation)

    Homework Statement The number of flaws in a plastic panel used in the interior of cars has a mean of 2.2 flaws per square meter of panel . What's the probability that there are less than 20 surface flaws in 10 square meter of panel ? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution This is a...
  10. mertcan

    A Collision integral approximation in boltzmann equation

    Hi, as you can see at the end of the picture/attached file collision integral is approximated to a discrete sum. Could you express how this approximation is derived?
  11. L

    A Integral equations -- Picard method of succesive approximation

    Equation \varphi(x)=x+1-\int^{x}_0 \varphi(y)dy If I start from ##\varphi_0(x)=1## or ##\varphi_0(x)=x+1## I will get solution of this equation using Picard method in following way \varphi_1(x)=x+1-\int^{x}_0 \varphi_0(y)dy \varphi_2(x)=x+1-\int^{x}_0 \varphi_1(y)dy \varphi_3(x)=x+1-\int^{x}_0...
  12. MathematicalPhysicist

    Cluster Approximation for the Two-Dimensional Ising Model

    Homework Statement In the attachments there is the question and its solution, it's problem 3.5. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution My question is how did they get the dimensionless Hamiltonian in both cases, and how did they explicitly calculated ##m## in both cases? I assume it's...
  13. A

    MHB A paper on Approximation Theory.

    I asked my question in overflow, so far with no answers. Perhaps here, I'll get an answer. https://mathoverflow.net/questions/282048/a-lemma-on-convex-domain-which-is-a-lipschitz-domain [admin edit: Below is the actual question posted, so our community doesn't have to follow multiple links:]...
  14. MathematicalPhysicist

    One-Dimensional Ising Model in Bethe Approximation

    Homework Statement The following question and its solution is from Bergersen's and Plischke's: Equation (3.38) is: $$m = \frac{\sinh (\beta h)}{\sqrt{\sinh^2(\beta h) + e^{-4\beta J}}}$$ Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution They provide the solution in their solution manual which I...
  15. MathematicalPhysicist

    What is the Bethe Approximation for a One-Dimensional Ising Model?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I don't see how to do this calculation of ##Z_c##, I need somehow to separate between ##\sigma_j=1## and ##\sigma_j=-1##, and what with ##\sigma_0##?
  16. F

    A Please verify integral and approximation, boundary theory

    I used Newtons method and taylor approximations to solve this equation $$f'''+\frac{m+1}{2}ff''+m(1-f^{'2})=0$$ It solves for velocity of air over a flat plate. The velocity is a constant ##u_e## everywhere except in a boundary layer over the plate, where the velocity is a function of distance...
  17. Vicol

    I Understanding the Born-Oppenheimer Approximation: A Mathematical Proof

    Hello everyone, In Born-Oppenheimer approximation there is one step, when you divide your wavefunction into two pieces - first dependent on nuclei coordinates only and second dependent on electron coordinates only (the nuclei coordinates are treated as parameter here). The "global"...
  18. B

    Doubt about approximation and limiting case

    Homework Statement A ball is dropped from rest at height ##h##. We can assume that the drag force from the air is in the form ##F_d=-m \alpha v##. I know then the position in function of the height $$y(t)=h-\frac{g}{\alpha} (t-\frac{1}{\alpha} (1 - e^{-\alpha t}))$$ If I take ##\alpha t<<1##...
  19. R

    Efficient Solutions for IVP and Root Approximation in Differential Equations

    Homework Statement [/B] It's been a couple of years since differential equations so I am hoping to find some guidance here. This is for numerical analysis. Any help would be much appreciated. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  20. S

    Chebyshev polynomial approximation

    Homework Statement Find the quadratic least squares Chebyshev polynomial approximation of: g(z) = 15π/8 (3-z^2)√(4-z^2) on z ∈ [-2,2] Homework Equations ϕ2(t) = c0/2 T0(t) +c1T1(t)+c2T2(t) T0(t)=1 T1(t)=t T2(t)=2t2-1 Cj = 2/π ∫ f(t) Tj(t) / (√(1-t2) dt where the bounds for the integration...
  21. H

    Maximum weight carried by a specific torque

    Hello, My name is Hugh Carstensen. I am a CSE undergrad at the Ohio State University. I recently secured a position designing and assembling an automated camera-rig for digitization of archival works in the Knowlton School of Architecture. The rig will be powered by a number of small stepper...
  22. F

    Small angle approximation

    Homework Statement I want to solve the motion equation ## m \frac {dv_z} {dt} = - μ \frac {∂B_z} {∂z} ## with small angle approximation Homework Equations ## B_z(z) = B_0 -bCos(\frac {zπ} {2L}) ## is the magnetic field in the z-direction The Attempt at a Solution Started by derive the...
  23. DeathbyGreen

    A Pierels substitution integral approximation

    In the textbook "Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors" by B. Andrei Bernevig and Taylor L. Hughes, there is a chapter titled "Hall conductance and Chern Numbers". In section 3.1.2 (page 17) they are discussing including an external field in a tight binding model, the Peierls...
  24. J

    Solving Asymptotic Formula: Eq. 25 & 27

    In the following equation, $$P(x; a)= \frac{\gamma}{2\lambda L \eta} [\frac{1}{π^2N_F(a)\eta(1 - \frac{x}{a\eta})^2} + \frac{1}{π^2N_F(a)\eta(1 + \frac{x}{a\eta})^2} +\frac{2}{π^2N_F(a)\eta(1 - \frac{x^2}{a^2\eta^2})} [sin (\frac{π N_F(a)\eta(1 - \frac{x}{a\eta})^2}{2})sin (\frac{πN_F(a)\eta(1...
  25. K

    Approximation by differential

    Homework Statement Approximate ##~\sqrt[4]{17}~## by use of differential Homework Equations Differential: ##~dy=f(x)~dx## The Attempt at a Solution $$y=\sqrt[4]{x},~~dy=\frac{1}{4}x^{-3/4}=\frac{1}{4\sqrt[4]{x^3}}$$ $$\sqrt[4]{16}=2,~~dx=1,~~dy=\frac{1}{4\sqrt[4]{x^2}}\cdot 1=0.149$$...
  26. Tspirit

    Answering "How to Understand Approximation in QM

    Homework Statement In the Griffiths book <Introduction to QM>, Section 2.3.2: Analytic method (for The harmonic oscillator), there is an equation (##\xi## is very large) $$h(\xi)\approx C\sum\frac{1}{(j/2)!}\xi^{j}\approx C\sum\frac{1}{(j)!}\xi^{2j}\approx Ce^{\xi^{2}}.$$ How to understand the...
  27. M

    MHB Approximation for π and sqrt{2}

    Say whether each statement is TRUE OR FALSE. Do not use a calculator or tables; use instead the approximations sqrt{2} is about 1.4 and π is about 3.1. 1. 2 < or = (π + 1)/2 2. sqrt{7} - 2 > or = 0 For question 1, I replace π with 3.1, and then simplify, right? How do I apply the...
  28. T

    Approximation of a hyperbolic function

    Homework Statement Hy guys I am having an issue with approximating this first question, which I have shown below. Now my problem is not so much solving it but I have been thinking that if given the same question without knowing that it approximates to so for example the question I am...
  29. Y

    I Why is tan(Θ) equal to dy/dx for small angles?

    I'm following this video: The professor says that for small angles, tan(Θ) = dy/dx. I don't understand why this is so. Tan(Θ) is equal to sin(Θ) / cos(Θ), and if Θ is small, then cos(Θ) is about 1, which means dx = 1, not a infinitesimally small number.
  30. binbagsss

    Cts approximation, delta function integration, stat mech

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution So cts approx holds because ##\frac{E}{\bar{h}\omega}>>1## So ##\sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0}\delta(E-(n+1/2)\bar{h} \omega) \approx \int\limits^{\infty}_{0} dx \delta(E-(x+1/2)\bar{h}\omega) ## Now if I do a substitution...
  31. deep838

    I Interpreting "momentum" in WKB approximation

    According to WKB approximation, the wave function \psi (x) \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{p(x)}} This implies that the probability of finding a particle in between x and x+dx is inversely proportional to the momentum of the particle in the given potential. According to the book, R. Shankar, this is...
  32. mastermechanic

    Linear Approximation of F(x) at x=1.001

    <Moved from a technical section and thus a template variation> 1-) Question: Let f, g and h be differentiable everywhere functions with h(1) = 2 , h'(1) = - 3 , g(2) = -1 , g'(2) = 5 , f(-1) = 4 , f'(-1) = 7. Approximate the value of function F(x) = f(g(h(x))) at point x= 1.001 2-) My...
  33. Biker

    Thin lens approximation and Apparent depth

    So we are studying optics in school this semster, Very interseting topic I say but I just have a couple of question I want to ask. In concave and convex mirror, we study spherical ones where F = R/2. I was able to prove this and that it is only an approximation when ## R >> h_o ## or ## h_0##...
  34. Invutil

    I Newton's approximation of inverse trig

    Given a unit-hypotenuse triangle, how do we get the inverse sin/cos/tan equations? I'm trying to program a high-precision fixed-fraction model of the sun and Earth and I've forgotten how the equations are derived. I know there's differentiation and integration. And I'm stuck on how to express...
  35. K

    B How to prove this approximation?

    I've arrived at it not by using some mainstream mathematics. I'm looking for a proof which involves some widely-known mathematics. I'm sorry if I'm using my own notation, but it's the only way to make the expression compact. The notation is: $$log^n_xy$$: For log with the base x applied n times...
  36. K

    Relativistic Particle Speed Approximation using Total Energy

    Homework Statement Show that, for an extremely relativistic particle, the particle speed u differs from the speed of light c by $$ c - u = (\frac {c} {2}) (\frac {m_0 c^2} {E} )^2, $$ in which ##E## is the total energy.Homework Equations I'm not sure what equations are relevant. This...
  37. T

    Derive tidal force upon star (approximation: divide star in 2)

    Homework Statement Spherical,homogeneous star with radius R orbiting black hole at distance ## r_p >>R ## .Derive the tidal force acting upon the star by dividing the star into two equal parts and making the necessary approximations. Homework Equations The tidal force equation of ## a \propto...
  38. M

    Get equation that describes set of measured values

    Hello. A whole decade passed since I graduated mathematics and shifted to other profession, so my knowledge is very rusty. There is an important problem for a scientific work that I need help for. Let's say factor t is being calculated from factors x, y and z, all some parameters from living...
  39. D

    Is the usual Escape Velocity eqn an approximation?

    Text books ordinarily give the escape velocity of a mass-M body (in the center of mass frame of the system of the body and the escaping projectile, whose mass I'll label m) as (*) v2 = 2GM/r where r is the distance between the body and the escaping projectile. it doesn’t seem to me that (*)...
  40. G

    Why this approximation is correct?

    Could you tell me the reason that if pole is close to the imaginary axis, (1) can be same as (2).
  41. Andreas C

    B How come this natural logarithm approximation works?

    I came across a guy claiming that the "best approximation" for the natural logarithm of a number is this: ln x=2^n*(x^(2^-n)-1) Oddly enough, it seems to work rather well! I don't really get why it does... I also don't know if it has a limit, I couldn't test it as I don't have access to my...
  42. N

    Approximation Algorithms: Greedy Load Balancing/Vertex Cover

    Homework Statement You are asked to consult for a business where clients bring in jobs each day for processing. Each job has a processing time ti that is known when the job arrives. The company has a set of ten machines, and each job can be processed on any of these ten machines. At...
  43. S

    Validity of the sudden approximation

    Homework Statement The Schrodinger equation is given by $$i\hbar\ \frac{\partial}{\partial t}\ \mathcal{U}(t,t_{0})=H\ \mathcal{U}(t,t_{0}),$$ where ##\mathcal{U}(t,t_{0})## is the time evolution operator for evolution of some physical state ##|\psi\rangle## from ##t_0## to ##t##.Rewriting...
  44. dykuma

    Sterling approximation of Beta Function

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I think this problem is probably a lot simpler than I am making it out to be. However, when I apply sterling's approx., I get a very nasty equation that does not simplify easily. One of the biggest problems I have though is...
  45. FallenApple

    Small Angle Approximation to Hoop Oscillator

    Homework Statement A point particle of mass m slides without friction within a hoop of radius R and mass M. The hoop is free to roll without slipping along a horizontal surface. What is the frequency of small oscillations of the point mass, when it is close to the bottom of the hoop...
  46. lep11

    Error approximation using mean value theorem for mv-function

    Obviously ##\mathbb{R^2}## is convex, that is, any points ##a,b\in\mathbb{R^2}## can be connected with a line segment. In addition, ##f## is differentiable as a composition of two differentiable functions. Thus, the conditions of mean value theorem for vector functions are satisfied. By applying...
  47. T

    Python Using backward vs central finite difference approximation

    I am solving the simple 2nd-order wave equation: $$ \frac {\partial ^2 E}{\partial t^2} = c^2 \frac {\partial ^2 E}{\partial z^2} $$ Over a domain of (in SI units): ## z = [0,L=10]##m, ##t = [0,t_{max} = 10]##s and boundary/initial conditions: $$ E(z=0) = E(z=L) = 0 $$ $$ E(t=0) =...
  48. Elvis 123456789

    Integration by parts and approximation by power series

    Homework Statement An object of mass m is initially at rest and is subject to a time-dependent force given by F = kte^(-λt), where k and λ are constants. a) Find v(t) and x(t). b) Show for small t that v = 1/2 *k/m t^2 and x = 1/6 *k/m t^3. c) Find the object’s terminal velocity. Homework...
  49. tomdodd4598

    I Special Relativity Approximation of Gravitation

    Hey there, I have two questions - the first is about an approximation of a central gravitational force on a particle (of small mass) based on special relativity, and the second is about the legitimacy of a Lagrangian I'm using to calculate the motion of a particle in the Schwarzschild metric...
  50. C

    Successive Approximation ADC Question

    Homework Statement .[/B] The full range input of a12-bit, successive-approximation type ADC is 1 volt. Determine: a) the maximum input change required to give a one bit change in output of the ADCb) The number of approximations made to complete the conversion of an input signal of 0.8125...
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