What is Estimate: Definition and 375 Discussions

Estimation (or estimating) is the process of finding an estimate, or approximation, which is a value that is usable for some purpose even if input data may be incomplete, uncertain, or unstable. The value is nonetheless usable because it is derived from the best information available. Typically, estimation involves "using the value of a statistic derived from a sample to estimate the value of a corresponding population parameter". The sample provides information that can be projected, through various formal or informal processes, to determine a range most likely to describe the missing information. An estimate that turns out to be incorrect will be an overestimate if the estimate exceeded the actual result, and an underestimate if the estimate fell short of the actual result.

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  1. S

    What is the absolute uncertainty in your estimate of the total mass?

    Homework Statement You measure the mass of a physics textbook to be 2.97±0.07 kg, and use this value to estimate the total mass of 800 identical physics textbooks in the bookstore. What is the absolute uncertainty in your estimate of the total mass? I have been working on this for a...
  2. B

    Estimate Mean Loading on Turbine

    Homework Statement Wavegen's Saider 4MW wave energy project will produce an average 8,000 MWh each year. Estimate the mean loading on the turbines? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution If 100% efficient = 4x365x24 = 35,040 MWh/year Load factor...
  3. K

    How to estimate the future global population

    Hello everybody! I have been reading about the evolution of population growth since 1950 till now. It had many factors such as development of technology, of medecine, ... Now i want to calculate the future population growth let's say for example for 2050. In those readings i found also those...
  4. K

    How to estimate the future global population

    Hello everybody! I have been reading about the evolution of population growth since 1950 till now. It had many factors such as development of technology, of medecine, ... Now i want to calculate the future population growth let's say for example for 2050. In those readings i found also those...
  5. T

    Big-O Estimate for (n*logn + 1)^2 + (logn + 1)(n^2+1) - Homework Problem

    Homework Statement Hi, I am trying to solve this problem: I want the Big-O Estimate for this problem (n*logn + 1)^2 + (logn +1)(n^2+1)Homework Equations now only real problem comes when I try to do the square of the first term. I just don't know what (n*logn)^2 would be equal, it may be a it...
  6. R

    To estimate the required torque

    a mass of 100N has to be lifted up via string attached to pulley. What is the torque required to rotate that pulley
  7. Y

    Exploring the Hubble Age Estimate

    Following different lines of reasoning (most likely all faulty) - I can convince myself that the current estimate(s) of the Hubble age may be off by a factor or 2 (more or less) depending upon the physiology asssumed for space and the model used to describe the expansion rate - specifically: If...
  8. J

    Estimate Remainder of Taylor Series

    1. The problem \statement, all variables and given/known data Estimate the error involved in using the first n terms for the function F(x) = \int_0^x e^{-t^2} dt Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am using the Lagrange form of the remainder. I need to know the n+1 derivative of...
  9. marcus

    The new Hubble rate estimate of 74 means a new critical density.

    Around 1998 we got the estimate of 71 from Wendy Freedman's Hubble Space Telescope team. That was called the "key project" of the HST program and was one of the main reasons for HST. So much depends on it that it is important to keep trying to improve the accuracy. That 71 has stood for 10...
  10. B

    MATLAB Comparing Performance of Difference Methods for Estimate Derivative

    The problem is: Compare the performance of the forward, backward, and central difference methods for estimating the derivative of the following function: y(x)=e^-xsin(3x). Use 101 points from x = 0 to x = 4. Use a random additive error of +/- 0.01. I understand the process of solving this...
  11. C

    Taylor series to estimate sums

    [b]1. Use Taylor's expansion about zero to find approximations as follows. You need not compute explicitly the finite sums. (a) sin(1) to within 10^-12; (b) e to within 10^-18: [b]3. I know that the taylor expansion for e is e=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}x^{n}/n! and I aslo know that...
  12. I

    Estimate the buoyant force exerted on your body by the air

    Estimate the buoyant force exerted on your body by the air ( use Pair+1.029 kg/m^3). What would be the difference between your weight in the air and your weight in a vacuum? How would I proceed with this? What Equation should I use?
  13. K

    Estimate the density of the water

    Homework Statement Estimate the density of the water 5.7 km deep in the sea. (bulk modulus for water is B=2.0 x 10^9 N/m^2) By what fraction does it differ from the density at the surface? Homework Equations P=(rho)gh=F/A=B(delta l/l) The Attempt at a Solution So I have several...
  14. Philosophaie

    How to Estimate with a Computer program a 3rd order diff eq

    How to Estimate with a Computer program a 3rd order differential equation with 4 variables and 4 equations? The equations are derived from the geodesics equation and the Schwarzschild metric. The variables are r, theta, phi and t. Any hints would be appreciated.
  15. Q

    Estimate the radiation pressure of your finger tip

    Homework Statement Estimate the radiation pressure due to a 100-W bulb at a distance of 5.0 cm from the center of the bulb. Assume that light is complitely absorbed. Estimate the force exerted on your fingertip if you place it at this point. Assume area of the fingertip to be 1.5 cm2...
  16. E

    How do you estimate the mass of a nucleus?

    Homework Statement Estimate the mass of a nucleus with a radius of 2.80 * 10^-15m. Homework Equations I do not know if there is an 'equation' for this. The Attempt at a Solution The answer is 2.11*10^-26.. but I don't even know how to approach this question.
  17. E

    Estimate the electric flux through the sphere

    Homework Statement A point charge Q is placed a distance 2R above the center of an imaginary spherical surface of radius R. Estimate the electric flux through the sphere Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I think the answer is 0 as Gauss law states that the net...
  18. L

    Astronomy: Estimate the age of the observable universe

    Homework Statement How does the speed of light's finiteness limit the size of our observable universe? Using the speed of light (c = 3 x 10^8 m/s), estimate the age of the observable Universe in years given its estimated size of about 10^26 m. Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  19. O

    Stat: estimate proportion

    Homework Statement A candidate wishes to estimate the proportion, among likely voters who would vote for her on election day, with 80% margin of error less than 0.03. What sample size should she use? Answer: 456 Homework Equations +/- Z[phat*qhat/sqrt(n)], Z = 1.28, phat = 0.5, qhat = 0.5...
  20. A

    Newtons method to estimate solution to eq.

    Homework Statement Use Newton's method to estimate the requested solution of the equation. Start with given value of x0 and give x2 as the estimated solution. Homework Equations x0 = 2 ( this is the first guess numb. you start with) the equation you use is... x = x(guuess #) -...
  21. L

    Using a power series to estimate a function

    I'm having a problem with estimating a function using a power series... the problem is Use the power series for f(x)= (5+x)^(1/3) to estimate 5.08^(1/3) correct to four decimal places. I found all the derivatives of f(x) but I'm not sure how to make it into a power series or what form to...
  22. G

    Estimate the critical point

    Homework Statement I am to estimate the critical temperature and critical pressure (where vapor and liquid merge) of a fluid. I am given that rho (the density), L (latent heat of vaporization), t_b (boiling temperature at 1atm) and P = 1atm (pressure) to be known.Homework Equations dG = -S dt...
  23. K

    Estimate the Time for the Sun to Disappear Again

    HELP! (again) Homework Statement The sun sets, fully disappearing over the horizon as you lie on the beach, your eyes 20cm above the sand. you immediately jump up, your eyes now 150cm above the sand, and you can again see the top of the sun. if you count the number of seconds until the sun...
  24. H

    Estimate value for Planck's Constant? Please help hopeless A level student

    Homework Statement A clean surface of potassium in a vacuum is irradiated with light of wavelength 5.5 x10 -7 m and electrons are found just to emerge, but when light of wavelength 5.0 x 10 -7 m is incident, electrons emerge with energy 3.62 x 10-20 J. Estimate a value for Planck's constant...
  25. K

    Estimate the binding energy of the H2 molecule

    The problem is this: Estimate the binding energy of the H2 molecule, assuming the two H nuclei are 0.074 nm apart and the two electrons spend 33% of their time midway between them. I assume that this problem uses the equation F=ke2/d. So far, I have that E1=F1d, and E2=F2v*t*0.33. Then...
  26. C

    Estimate the velocity and angular velocity of an empty pipe

    Hi, I need to resit some exams and I'v been having difficulty trying to solve this problem. Estimate the velocity and angular velocity of an empty pipe of mass (m)=1000kg, Diameter (d)=10mm, shell thickness (h)=1mm at the bottom of a slope of angle \theta=45^{}o and path length L=5000mm on...
  27. B

    How to estimate energy usage

    Hello Folks, How would I estimate the energy required for machine parts, such as turning a valve? we're talking joules? aye? could i estimate it fairly accurate? any help as to what equations and tools i would use? im basically wanting to measure the efficiency of a machine... the energy put...
  28. T

    Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to estimate the position uncertainty

    A block is at rest. The block is macroscopic so we can see that it is at rest and where it is, i.e. we know its position with certainty. Suppose we use the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to estimate the position uncertainty Δ x. Consider the following argument: Since the engine is at rest...
  29. R

    Error Estimate for Taylor Approx of Intergal(f(x)) from 0 to .5

    explain why an estimate of intergal(f(x)) from 0 to .5 using the first 2 nonzero terms of its taylor approximation differs from the actual value of this integral by less than 1/200
  30. C

    Estimate the power of the laser on board of Darth Vader's Death Star

    The laser is able to vaporize an Earth sized planet in about a second.
  31. N

    Estimate the velocity of each stone have just after the collision

    Hi :smile: I really need a answer to this task. Hope anyone can help. A curling stone ( named A ) gets on the ice with a unknown beginning velocity Vo the stone moves along a straight line ( x-axis ) on the x-axis further ahead lies another stone ( named B ) still. Stone A collides with...
  32. R

    Estimating Torque for Solar Panel-Powered Servo Motor

    Guys, I have a solar panel screwed onto a shaft which connects directly to a servo motor shaft. How much should the torque rating of the servo be to be able to rotate it ? I mean an estimate of the minimum torque required. The panel weighs 0.8kg plus a few grams for the solar panel holder (made...
  33. I

    Maximizing θ with Probability Mass Function and Marbles Data

    in need of help for how to do this question given probability mass function: x 1 2 3 4 p(x) 1/4(θ+2) 1/4(θ) 1/4(1-θ) 1/4(1-θ) Marbles 1=green 2=blue 3=red 4=white For 3839 randomly picked marbles green=1997 blue=32 red=906...
  34. N

    Estimate the number of hairs in a typical braid

    A human hair is about 100 μm across. Estimate the number of hairs in a typical braid. The average number of hairs on a person’s head = 100,000, and the answer is supposed to be 10,000. Can someone explain how you would get 10,000? Thanks in advance
  35. D

    Calculating Fissile Plutonium output to estimate nuclear capability of a country

    Hi all, I am just a mechanical engineer with no good background of nuclear physics. As I am doing some research on how much each country can posses nuclear bomb. The question is if I know the reactor location (approximate) , type of reactor and its Rated power (MWe) with assumed plant...
  36. T

    Future construction - a theoretical estimate?

    Suppose we had the technology to produce artificial diamond beams and carbon nanotube rope cheaply enough to use in large quantities. If we use the diamond for compressive load, and the CNT ropes for tensile load, how tall a skyscraper could we build using these materials, in theory? Is there...
  37. D

    Error estimate for alterning series

    Homework Statement Find the smallest integer n that ensures that the partial sum s_n approximates the sum s of the series with error less than 0.001 in absoulute value. \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^{(n+1)}\frac{n}{2^n} Homework Equations {\abs{s-s_n}} <= s_{(n+1)} = a_{(n+1)}...
  38. D

    Estimate Your Ear Canal Length: Hear Soft Sounds!

    I read this question online. Estimate the length of your ear canal. Regard the canal as a narrow tube that is open at one end and closed at the other, at approximately what fundamental frequency would you expect you hearing to be most sensitive? Explain why you can hear especially soft sounds...
  39. S

    Can QT estimate the ionization energy of neutral Helium, He I?

    First, I want to understand something. Everything I look at suggests that the ionization energy of an atom or ion is suppose to be the energy needed to remove the 'outermost electron'- which I find troubling conceptually, since they also refer to this as the one with the highest energy. Wouldn't...
  40. E

    Estimate the power required to operate the tow

    Homework Statement A ski tow is operated on a 20 degree slope of lenth 300m. The rope moves at 12.0km/h, and power is provided for 70 riders at one time with an average mass per rider of 65kg. Estimate the power required to operate the tow. Homework Equations P = Work / t P = F * v...
  41. A

    Estimate the number of raindrops that fell during the storm

    Homework Statement A thunderstorm drops half an inch of rain (approximately .01m) of rain which covers an area of about 70 miles (approximately 10^8 m^2).Estimate the number of raindrops that fell during the storm. Homework Equations Area of a sphere,the raindrop= (4/3)(pi)(r^3) The...
  42. L

    Online help for calculation of estimate for renovation of interiors.

    General interiors of my house need a complete renovation regarding mirrored closet door & window casing, suspended acoustic ceilings, walls (i.e. insulation, vapour, barrier, drywall, tape) and retro fitment of central vacuum. Please suggest any website that caters online help in calculation of...
  43. T

    Smilga paper, in which he derives an estimate to the fine structure constant

    I've been trying to figure out this paper by W. Smilga: Spin foams, causal links, and geometry-induced interactions I don't have the knowledge and background to be able to determine whether his derivation of an estimate to the fine structure constant is interesting, or just a trick. I am...
  44. F

    Finding the Linear Estimate of a Function: Help Needed

    Hey guys I was just taking a look at a sample exam and I came across this, with no recollection of ever learning it. I don't really want anyone to solve a problem for me per se, I just want an explanation for what is being asked. So anyway, I am asked to find the linear estimate for a...
  45. P

    How do I estimate complex eigenvalues?

    Let A be a matrix with real elements. The problem is to estimate eigenvalues of A, real and complex. QR algorithm is fine for real eigenvalues, but obviously fails to converge on complex eigenvalues... So, I'm looking for an alternative that could provide an estimate for complex eigenvalues of...
  46. H

    Estimate for the liquid flow-rate into a gas scrubber

    I need a method for estimating the liquid flow rate required by a gas scrubber (I know the amount of gas that needs to be scrubbed and the amount of particulates with it, but I don't know about the nature of the particles, except that they are organic). It doesn't need to be particularly...
  47. R

    Series: estimate sum within .01

    Homework Statement How many terms of the series infinity E n =1 1/(1+n^2) must be added to estimate the sum within 0.01? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution need help please. Also, the answer i believe it 100 terms. However i need to show work to support this answer.
  48. S

    Estimate the hypotenuse of the triangle

    Hi I just had a question on a quiz that asked to estimate the hypotenuse of triangle with given sides and a maximum error possibility. The two given sides were 5 and 12..i don't need an exact solution..but I was just wondering how to do it. I Found the maximum Error that was possible and the...
  49. C

    Most Accurate Estimate of Surface Area of a Bottle?

    What is the most accurate way to estimate the surface area of a cylindrical bottle that decreases in diameter from its wides point (the body) to the narrowest point ( the neck and cap)? It seems like we did similar problems in calculus, however: 1. I don't remember any of it, and 2. I think...
  50. V

    Estimate the speed of the waves of the coffee

    Question: When you walk with a cup of coffee (diameter 8cm) at just the right pace of about 1 step per second, the coffee sloshes more and more until eventually it starts to spill over the top. Estimate the speed of the waves of the coffee. Relevant Formulae: f= 1/T v= f * wavelength...
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