What is Formulas: Definition and 542 Discussions

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. Dema

    Equivalence of formulas for time reduction factors in GR

    Hello, I’d have a question regarding two apparently different formulas for the time reduction factors for observers in orbit around a rotating black hole, as reported in this nice thread: Equation for time dilation of body in orbit around Kerr black hole? The first one is: $$A=\sqrt{g_{tt} +...
  2. Twigg

    Jet Prolongation Formulas for Lie Group Symmetries

    I can never derive the prolongation formulas correctly when I want to prove the Lie group symmetries of PDEs. (If I'm lucky I get the transformed tangent bundle coordinate right and botch the rest.) I've gone through a number of textbooks and such in the past, but I haven't found any clear...
  3. L

    MHB Formulas for Triangle Perimeter & Height

    Write the following formulas: a) The minimum perimeter of any triangle (abc) only known heights corresponding to the sides a and b. b) The maximum height and minimum corresponding to the side b of any triangle (abc) only known the value of its perimeter and height corresponding to the side a.
  4. Sky Burns

    How to calculate time when given distance, mass, and power

    Homework Statement I need to calculate the time that it takes for a drag car that is powered by an 8 gram CO₂ cartridge to go across a certain distance. My wooden drag car is 100 grams. It will be traveling a distance of 50 feet. Homework Equations Force= mass x acceleration Power= work /...
  5. M

    Unusual Math Formulas on Blackboard: Understanding Pi and Lambda

    Someone has spray-painted (no idea why) these formulas on the blackboard. I assume they are from the math class that is held before our physics class. I'm guessing it to be calculus or mathematical logic but I don't know. What I'm reading is that pi equals lambda and therefore f equals 1. Does...
  6. J

    MHB What formulas to use to work out the following questions

    2007 2008 2009 2010 Total revenue ($1,000 million) 60.05 58.43 61.24 63.31 Revenue per employee ($1,000) 168.8 163.5 170.6 175.3 Revenue per full-time employee ($1,000) 198.6 197.1 210.6 224.7 1. What was the number of employees in 2010? 2. What was the number...
  7. kinisia

    Piezoelectricity in formulas

    Hi all , I am approaching now the piezoelectricity but I am studying economics so i have no knowledge to understand deeply some aspects of it. Anyway i am really interested in understanding it for myself. I understood all mechanism behind it but some things are still not clear. Let's start...
  8. JonnyMaddox

    Exploring the Binomial Formulas & Beyond

    Hey JO, You all know the binomic formulas I guess. Let's look at the first: (a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2 Now this can be interpretet as the area of a square with the sides (a+b). And that means the area of the square is decomposed into the components a^2,2ab and b^2. And this can also be done for a cube...
  9. B

    Am I Bad at Math if I Have to Look Up Formulas?

    Quick background: Community college student with quite a love for philosophy, mathematics, history, and politics. I'll be transferring to a four-year institution next year to complete my undergraduate degree (undecided major, but leaning towards a double or possibly even triple major in those...
  10. R

    Explain chemical formulas PO43-

    PO43- I Understand the 4 represents how many oxygen atoms are bonded to the Phosphate. What exactly does the 3 and its - sign represent? By the image, I can tell the difference between the 3 oxygen atoms and the single isolated one, with the double || symbol, has a different electronic...
  11. AbrahamA

    MHB Book of Odd, Volume I | 1700 TVM formulas

    1 Generic TVM Equation = 1700 TVM formulas Here is the Book of Odd, Volume I https://www.dropbox.com/s/dknr9l61i130du4/book_of_odd_volume_i.pdf?dl=0 All praise to Odd Here is the Windows app based on Book of Odd, Volume I https://www.dropbox.com/s/9jx4knnuw98lpkl/OddFinancials.exe?dl=0...
  12. SuperDaniel

    Interesting pocket reference by Thomas Glover

    I know that most of you have grown up in this digital era, but me myself, I am a old school man, and, I usually use reference books. Today, I would like to recommend a small and practical book. Have you ever been working in an installation, in the middle of the Amazonian jungle or in the...
  13. L

    Place with all components of all formulas explained?

    Homework Statement Is there a place where I could find every component of every physics formula explained? I know basic stuff like that a line over a variable means average. But, I have no idea what the various subscripts and superscripts on the formulas mean. Thanks for reading Homework...
  14. victorhugo

    Good resource for learning motion and rearranging formulas

    My class is currently doing thing like centripetal acceleration, momentum etc. and I am not quite getting it. We are also meant to know how to rearrange and combine formulas really well, but I have missed a lot of algebra on previous years so I only know the basics... Can someone please...
  15. A

    The formulas for parallel and series connections

    Homework Statement Find the equivalent resistance between A and B. All resistances shown are in ohm. Homework Equations The formulas for parallel and series connections. The Attempt at a Solution I have attempted to redraw the circuit and my redrawn diagram looks like this. I don't think...
  16. I

    Why are compound formulas written in a specific order?

    Hello, i am studying about ions and compounds currently and i wonder why do certain formulas are written in a certain order, for example: silver sulfide - why isn't it written as sulfide silver? or copper(II) chloride - could the chloride be written first? like everything in chemistry I'm sure...
  17. R

    Clarification on Chemical Formulas

    I was wondering what the upper half of the hexagon represents, I assume the Triangles represent O repeating; and how would this formula be written out in text.
  18. J

    Why Is My Calculation of Doppler Shift Different from the Standard Formula?

    Good day to you all, I wanted to share a struggle with you all that I can't seem to get out of. It's about calculating, in the case of sound, the decrease or increase in frequency (thus increase or decrease in wavelength) when a sound source is respectively moving away or towards an observer...
  19. P

    Generalized velocity addition and aberration formulas

    Not sure if this will be of interest to others, but, as an exercise, I decided to derive formulas for SR velocity addition for any angular relationship, and similar aberration of angle for any object speed and direction and observer relative velocity - using pure algebra/geometry. That is, no...
  20. M

    Langevin and Einstein formulas of Brownian motion

    Homework Statement Demonstrate that Eq. (1.1) will convert to the Einstein relation Eq. (1.2) in the limit of t→∞ when we assume ξ=6πaμ. Conversely, show that Eq. (1.1) will yield <x2> ~ t2 in the limit of t→0. Confirm the consistency of the principle of equipartition of energy. Homework...
  21. S

    American Yr 10 Physics in Australia....assistance needed

    Hi All. My name is Simone and i have joined for the purposes of correcting my personal educational inadequacies. I have an inadequacy in my formal education as i only went to Year 8 in Australia. I am struggling to help my daughter at the moment. My 16 year old daughter is stumped on some...
  22. J

    Formulas for flow rate through orifice

    I am in need of a formula to calculate mass flow rate of liquids through a known orifice size and known pressure/secondary pressure. I need to do this for multiple liquids and I know the specific gravity for each liquid. can anyone help with this formula.
  23. J

    Maximizing Studying Efficiency: Memorizing Formulas for Calculus Success

    I wasn't sure where to put this question, so if a Mod wants to move this to a place where it would fit better/get more responses I would appreciate it. I'm about to finish pre-cal and take calculus during the fall. For my final we are allowed a half page of formulas. On it I have written down...
  24. leafjerky

    Deriving formulas used for vectors in physics.

    Hey guys and gals, I'm taking an online physics course just to kind of learn the basics before I take the real thing this summer. The course is from OpenYale for those interested (oyc.yale.edu). Anyways, the professor was talking about some formulas for finding ##\vec{r}(t) = r(i(cos\omega t) +...
  25. gracy

    Water molecule in chemical formulas of inorganic compounds

    In chemical formulas of various inorganic compounds there are molecules of water .I wanted to know is it important to remember the number of moles of water in chemical formulas of inorganic compounds.
  26. PWiz

    Energy Formulas in SR: Explained

    As I understand it, the formula ##E=\gamma m_0 c^2## gives the total energy of a body in any inertial frame. However, the formula ##E=\sqrt{ (m_0 c^2)^2 + (pc)^2}##, which is also supposed to give the total energy of a body (in any inertial frame), does not equal to the first formula. Why is...
  27. Emmanuel_Euler

    Other Book that contains all math formulas

    i need a book that contain all math formulas from numbers theory to Probability. any help??
  28. Mrs. Callahan

    Why Is "P" Used in Momentum Formula (p=mv)?

    While teaching momentum, we use the formula p=mv. Every year it comes up as to why the letter p is used in the formula and not other letters or symbols. I have conducted on-line searches and I stumble across explanations that mention Newton and his Principia along with other possible...
  29. K

    Thermodynamic Cycles & Formulas: A Summary

    This is not a homework question, but more of a information seeking question. I'm currently enrolled in Fundamentals of Thermodynamics where we studied many different cycles (Carnot, Rankine, Otto, Brayton, etc.) and their respective components (compressors, turbines, heat exchangers, pumps...
  30. E

    Derivation of some integral formulas

    Hi, The integrals in the image are well-known, but we are not allowed to use them in the test. I have tried to prove them using changing variable t, but I didn't succeed. Can you show me the way?
  31. S

    Differences between two Voltage formulas

    What is the differences between these two voltage formulas. 1. for a point charge: $$V = k\frac{q}{r}$$ 2. for an inductor: $$V(t)= L\frac{di}{dt}$$ Why are there different voltage formulas? Can second one be derived from the first one? Or do they completely represent different concepts?
  32. J

    Am I using these formulas properly? normal distribution+CLT

    I'm attempting to work out when to use the different formulas and how everything fits together, can you confirm if the following is correct? 1) If we had the problem: There are 250 dogs at a dog show who weigh an average of 12 pounds, with a standard deviation of 8 pounds. If 1 dog is chosen at...
  33. D

    Height and Weight: Impact on Cycling Speed Formulae

    Hi, I was reading about bicycles the other day and a question popped up in my head: Does the rider's weight and height affect the speed of the cycle? I have been researching extensively about it but I cannot find any formulae that can be used to measure the effectiveness of the height and...
  34. grandpa2390

    Do I understand these two formulas on interference?

    Homework Statement This isn't really a question about a specific problem, just about 2 formulas. I am not sure what the difference is when to use the two formulas. I have a hypothesis, but I need it confirmed or corrected. thankyou :) Homework Equations If you have the Halliday and Resnick...
  35. A

    Books for deriving old physical formulas

    Hi dear forum members, I'm an undergrad. physics student(freshmen),i've learned that Galilei found g.t^2=s formula(a free falling object's position function with respect to time)without using physical foundations,by using him blood impulses for count time not utilizing acceleration etc,i've...
  36. D

    Why do most formulas in physics have integer exponents?

    I mean why is f=ma? why not m0.123a1.43 or some random non integers? I hope you understand that my doubt doesn't limit just to force or energy or velocity e.t.c. it also extends to area of a square,circle e.t.c and all other formulae i think whole thing starts with direct proportionality.
  37. T

    Chemical Formulas: Interpreting Single Atom Reactions

    This is a very basic question. When I see a chemical formula, like for example combustion of methane: $CH_4+2O_2->CO_2+2H_20$ and I compute the standard enthalpy of reaction $H_r$, do I have always to think about this value $H$ and about the chemical reaction as describing a "certain amount"...
  38. H

    Structures, Beams: Proof of formulas for a beam

    Ok I'm struggling with something here. I am rusty so have probably just misunderstood something simple mathematically. There are equations to create the Bending moment diagram for each different type of beam subject to a UDL; cantilever, simply supported, fully fixed ends etc. However I just...
  39. H

    Do I understand this correctly?

    Homework Statement the theory behind Parallel axis theorem Homework Equations parallel axis theorem:Io=Ig+md² Radius of Gyration=Ig=m*K² The Attempt at a Solution ok folks If I understand this theory correctly the radius of gyration is the radius or distance from the axis of rotation to the...
  40. thegreengineer

    Electric circuits formulas doubts

    Well, recently I have started to deal with electronics and I've seen several new concepts such as ohm's law, parallel and series circuits, what's AC and DC and many other topics. Ok, I have no doubt on what's direct and alternate current or what a series and parallel circuits are; rather than...
  41. N

    Purpose of using 10^7 or any # raised

    This might be a silly question and an obvious one, it's something I just wanted confirmation/clarification on. I've been recently reading a lot of mathematical papers/journals from around the world and have noticed something in particular. A lot of formulas or things they are postulating use...
  42. N

    N00b question about understanding what formulas are

    I am new to the world of Science & Mathematics but am eager to learn all I can. I go to my local library and open up books on the topic such as Physics, Engineering and Electronics and there are swathes of formulas all of which I don't understand. I stare at them wondering what keys they must...
  43. C

    Differences Between Doppler Effect Formulas: u & f´

    u = (v + u') / (1 + v u' / c2) f´ = f √ [ ( 1 + v / c) / ( 1 – v / c) ]What are the difference between these two formulas? My formula sheet doesn't specify the two. I believe one of them has to do with doppler effect.
  44. S

    Generator / induction formulas help

    Hi , before I ask I want to say that I have done my “ homework” I did a search on this forums and I found a few hits but I couldn’t quite understand them or the numbers turned out wrong after I did my calculations. So I wanted to make a fresh thread , hope you folks will guide me , thanks. So I...
  45. nuuskur

    Differences in formulas (Ohm's law, power)

    For the sake of simplicity, assume we have an electrical appliance, single phase. Powered by U = 230V from the wall, its nominalpower N = 2600W and the resistance R = 26 ohm. If I wanted to calculate its operational current "I" (not entirely sure about the English terminology - the amount of...
  46. B

    MHB What are the formulas of partnership in business?

    1. Partnership : When two or more than two persons run a business jointly, they are called partners and the deal is known as partnership 2. Ratio of Division of Gains: (i)When investments of all the partners are for the same time, the gain or loss is distributed among the partners in the ratio...
  47. L

    Lorentz Transformations: 2 Formulas for Time (t)

    Depending on where I go to get a good understanding of the Lorentz transformations, I run into two formulas for time (t): T=T_0 * \frac{1}{ \sqrt{ 1-\frac{v^2}{c^2} } } and t=\left( t' + \frac{vx'}{c^2} \right) * \frac{1}{ \sqrt{ 1-\frac{v^2}{c^2} } } What is the...
  48. A

    Ray-Tracing vs. Depending on Formulas

    A lens forms a real image of a lightbulb, but the image of the bulb on a viewing screen is blurry because the screen is slightly in front of the image plane. To focus the image, should you move the lens toward the bulb or away from the bulb. Formulas: 1/s+1/s'=1/f Well, in the book, the...
  49. R

    MHB How to find combination of values which comes out of P&C formulas

    Dear All, like subsets {abc} can be found out using binary digits like 000 001 010 etc etc. how can i find the order of element for any combination which can be calulated useing following formula. n!/r!(n-r)! yours sincerley
  50. B

    MHB Some formulas of Arithmetic progression/series

    An arithmetic progression (AP) or arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers such that the difference between the consecutive terms is constant. Example: 2,4,6,8,10….. Arithmetic Series : The sum of the numbers in a finite arithmetic progression is called as Arithmetic series. Example...
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