What is Comparison: Definition and 388 Discussions

Comparison or comparing is the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and to what degree. Where characteristics are different, the differences may then be evaluated to determine which thing is best suited for a particular purpose. The description of similarities and differences found between the two things is also called a comparison. Comparison can take many distinct forms, varying by field:

To compare is to bring two or more things together (physically or in contemplation) and to examine them systematically, identifying similarities and differences among them. Comparison has a different meaning within each framework of study. Any exploration of the similarities or differences of two or more units is a comparison. In the most limited sense, it consists of comparing two units isolated from each other.
To compare things, they must have characteristics that are similar enough in relevant ways to merit comparison. If two things are too different to compare in a useful way, an attempt to compare them is colloquially referred to in English as "comparing apples and oranges." Comparison is widely used in society, in science and in the arts.

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  1. J

    Another Comparison of Integrals

    Homework Statement Use the box and the behavior of rational and exponential functions as x \rightarrow \infty to predict whether the integrals converge or diverge. Here is the box: \int^\infty_1 \frac{1}{x^p} dx converges for p > 1 and diverges for p < 1. \int^1_0 \frac{1}{x^p} dx...
  2. J

    Will These Integrals Converge or Diverge as x Approaches Infinity?

    Homework Statement Use the box and the behavior of rational and exponential functions as x \rightarrow \infty to predict whether the integrals converge or diverge. Here is the box: \int^\infty_1 \frac{1}{x^p} dx converges for p > 1 and diverges for p < 1. \int^1_0 \frac{1}{x^p} dx...
  3. R

    What is the Limit Comparison Test for Series Convergence?

    Homework Statement heres the equations: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/738/untitledzk8.jpg there are two equations, a and b. Homework Equations 3/n^2 for a, and 1/n for b. The Attempt at a Solution Using the limit comparison test, i don't understand why to use 3/n^2...
  4. K

    Schools Comparison of students from Great Universities and Normal Universities

    Hi all, Is it 100% sure that students graduated from great universities like UC Berkeley or Stanford are much more qualified than those from normal State Universities? Is it 100% sure that alumni of great universities are much more likely to become famous such as inventors or...
  5. C

    Courses Which is harder: Intro to Biology or Intro to Chemistry?

    What do you guys in general think will prove to be more difficult in terms of workload: Introductory Macroeconomics Introductory Biology Introductory Chemistry Between Intro to Bio and Intro to Chem, which one would be harder? Note that one of these courses will be used so that I can take 20...
  6. benzun_1999

    Cin vs Scanf - C++ Input Comparison

    cin or scanf? i use cin from iostream.h in c++ i also knowabout scanf in stdio.h but which is better? What is the difference betweeen the both? -benny
  7. Amith2006

    Why Does a Hollow Sphere Cool Faster Than a Solid Sphere?

    Sir, It is said that a hollow sphere cools faster that a solid sphere. Is it because a hollow sphere contains smaller quantity of heat than the solid sphere? Or is it because the rate of heat loss is inversely proportional to thickness of the conductor through which heat is lost?
  8. F

    A comparison of Homer's ethics vs the Bible's.

    In Homer's Odyssey, Odyssius has to deal with the seduction of eternal life with lots of women, but choses to go back home to his wife and son; this is what I got from watching it on sci-fi; I've yet to bye the time to read it myself even though I bought the Homer works awhile ago, but thumbing...
  9. B

    Comparing Spectrometry Techniques: SAAF, ICP, SAAE, ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS

    Hello, Do you know a website which has established a comparison between all spectrometry techniques like SAAF, ICP, SAAE, ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS etc... concerning the nature of the analysis, the concentration domain, the nature of radiation and the main principle. thank you very much Bibinou
  10. R

    Factoring: F.O.I.L vs Box Method Comparison

    F.o.i.l or Box? What is the better method the F.O.I.L method or the (I am not sure of the offical name) box method(where you make a box with 4 squares) to factor. Are there any other methods availible?
  11. J

    Darwin & Mendel: A Historical Comparison

    If Darvin knew about genetics or even about what mendel was researching, how do you think it would have changed his theories?
  12. S

    Comparison of quantum and classical equations

    Hi, we have a particle in a potential. We are asked to state what information we need to have a well defined problem, and since the equations of motion are second order wrt time derivates we need to know the position of the particle initially and its velocity. We are then asked "in the quantum...
  13. C

    Mathematica Math Software Comparison: Mathematica vs Maple

    I'm looking for some math software that I'll be able to use through university. I'll be doing honors in physics next year. I know there are nice TI graphing calculators but how do they compare to computer software? What are your opinions on Mathematica vs Maple vs ______?
  14. J

    Critical Value & P-Value Methods: Comparison & Relationships

    1) In the basic probability theory the concepts of mutually exclusive events and independent events share prominent roles, can two events be both mutually exclusive and independent at the same time? 2) What are two vital concepts and the relationship between "Critical Value Method" and the...
  15. mattmns

    A Fresh Look: New Logo Comparison

    Anybody notice it? I think it looks much better than the old one :smile: http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/1435/pfnewicon3eq.th.png Here is the old one, for those who don't remember: http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/5804/pfoldicon0vx.th.png
  16. Y

    Interest rate comparison trouble

    hey guys, this is my first post. however! i have been lurking over this forum for quite sometime and i have have learned a lot of things from this forum, and it has been very helpful! i came across this question that is giving me a heartburn and i have scanned it below: how do you go...
  17. P

    Probability distribution comparison

    I am trying to compare two probability distributions. I tried the chi-square test, but that requires binned data, and all I have is probability. It seems to work if I ignore the rules about degrees of freedom and just use df=1, but I doubt this is statistically valid. I tried to 'unnormalize' my...
  18. A

    Comparison between y=sinx and

    Comparison between y=sinx and... y+3=2\sin(3x+\frac{\pi}{2}) vertical stretch by a factor of 2 horizontal compression by 1/3 no reflection in the x or y axis 30 degrees horizontal phase shift to the left and 3 units down vertical displacement. Can someone please check this?
  19. B

    Integral convergence and limit comparison test

    Hi, I've been thinking about the comparison test for integrals. Usually when I have an integrand where the denominator is f(x) + something positive I can usually find a suitable bound without much trouble. However when the denomoninator of the integrand is f(x) - something positive finding a...
  20. G

    30,000kg Snow vs 1mL Water: Heat Energy Comparison

    Explain how it is possible for 30,000 kg of snow at 0 deg C to contain more heat energy than 1 mL of liquid water a 100 deg C. ( Assume a pressure of one atomsphere).
  21. L

    Applying Quantum Superposition to Spherical Standing Wave Structure

    Alright, this question may seem simple in comparison to some of the questions in here, but whatever. So, I've been doing some reading on Quantum Superposition, and I was curious as to whether or not anyone has ever applied its principles to Spherical Standing Wave Structure of Matter. -Liam
  22. Garth

    Comparison of the Mainstream and the Self Creation Freely Coasting models

    SpaceTiger has created a very valuable thread on Mainstream Cosmology. For good scientific practice it is important to compare standard theories with testable alternatives, however ST's thread is not the place to do it. The theory of Self Creation Cosmology (SCC) presents itself as such a...
  23. D

    How Does Helium-3 Energy Output Compare to Traditional Explosives?

    I am giving a presentation on helium 3 for a future energy source and i am looking for a way to describe (and compare) how much energy is released in a helium 3 reaction (D-T would be fine). some thing that would be clear to people who have no science background. (i.e. the amount of H-3 that...
  24. RadiationX

    Direct comparison test for convergence

    I'm supposed to compare the series \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n!} to some other series to see if the one above converges or diverges. I have no idea of what to compare it to. I know by the ratio test that the above series converges, that is if I'm doing the ratio test correctly...
  25. P

    Checking Answers for Comparison Test

    Each of the following statements is an attempt to show that a given series is convergent or divergent using the Comparison Test (NOT the Limit Comparison Test.) For each statement, enter C (for "correct") if the argument is valid, or enter I (for "incorrect") if any part of the argument is...
  26. P

    Testing Convergence: Comparison & Limit Comparison Tests

    Test each of the following series for convergence by either the Comparison Test or the Limit Comparison Test. \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{2n^4}{n^5+7} this diverges using the p-series and comparison test right? p <1 \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{2n^4}{n^9+7} and this converges right? because p >...
  27. G

    Widescreen lcd monitor comparison

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  28. M

    Points in a Line, Plane & Space: Cardinality Comparison

    Show that they are the same number of points in a line, in a plane and in the space. I have one more question: Which set has a cardinal number greater than the continuum. Why? Thanks in advance.
  29. T

    Music The Greatest Musical Decade: A Comparison

    What is the greatest decade for music. This is overall music in terms of depth, quality, sound, talent, etc..
  30. A

    Second rule of comparison in math series

    I can't understand this \sum{A_n}\leq \sum{B_n} having said this if \sum{B_n} converges so does \sum{A_n}, okay that makes perfect sense but then the second rule of comparison is if \sum {A_n} diverges then so does \sum{B_n} diverges too...can anyone tell me how that makes sense...
  31. M

    News Election 2004 comparison from 'The Economist'

    Very objective, clearly written: http://tinyurl.com/6d9rr I won't be hosting this for tooooo long, so please get it (only 1.5mb) and mirror it if you can assist me. I'll be taking this down tonight or tomorrow :)
  32. D

    Steel Marble Bouncing: Steel vs. Glass Plate Comparison

    if you dropped a steel marble onto a steel plate and then dropped a steel marble onto a glass plate which would you expect to bounce higher?
  33. S

    Comparison between two peptide sequences

    hello everybody! i have to find match between two different peptide sequences (looking for related sequences), but don't know where and how i can do it. i have very little bioinformatic background. i hope for some help. thanks alot!
  34. Dissident Dan

    News As bad as Iraq is, it pales in comparison

    Well, with the revelation of the Abu Ghraib, among other things, sympathies and disgust are reeling forth from around the globe. The acts done arre surely despicable. But they pale in comparison to what happens here in the USA, in Europe, and other places, on a scale so large as to dwarf...
  35. M

    Potential & Kinetic Energy in Gas Tanks: A Comparison

    Is the gas in a scuba tank or a butane lighter potential or kinetic energy? Not including gravitational effects.
  36. D

    Ah help camrea and eye comparison

    hey i sort of lost my textbook and i don't know how to do this can someone help me out Please? If so here's the question: The structure and function of the human eye and a simple camrea have many similarites. Useing the the terms iris,eyeball, retina , corena, and lens idnetify correspondying...
  37. C

    Comparison Theorem for integrals

    I have to use the comparison theorem to find if the function converges or diverges. Any ideas as to what I can use to compare the function to?? integrate: sqrt(1 + sqrt(x))/sqrt(x)dx Using the comparison theorem!
  38. Dissident Dan

    An ethical comparison of a few situations

    What is the ethical difference between the following situations? Also, what would be the ethical possible courses of action (or non-action) in each situation. A) Someone is going to shoot and kill some "innocent" person. You can stop him, but you have to kill him to do it. B) A boulder...
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