What is Parameters: Definition and 534 Discussions

A parameter (from the Ancient Greek παρά, para: "beside", "subsidiary"; and μέτρον, metron: "measure"), generally, is any characteristic that can help in defining or classifying a particular system (meaning an event, project, object, situation, etc.). That is, a parameter is an element of a system that is useful, or critical, when identifying the system, or when evaluating its performance, status, condition, etc.
Parameter has more specific meanings within various disciplines, including mathematics, computer programming, engineering, statistics, logic, linguistics, electronic musical composition.
In addition to its technical uses, there are also extended uses, especially in non-scientific contexts, where it is used to mean defining characteristics or boundaries, as in the phrases 'test parameters' or 'game play parameters'.

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  1. A

    C++: Passing Parameters to a Function

    Can anyone explain to me how are the parameter passed on to the function in C++?
  2. S

    Finding h parameters when capacitors and inductors involved with resistors

    Homework Statement Find the h parameters of the following systems:- ---L---------C-- : : R : : ---------------- L= j5 ohm C=-j5 ohm R=1 ohm Homework Equations The above questions has to be solved manually as well as simulated...
  3. S

    Stokes Parameters - Fraction of Linear/Circular Polarization

    Homework Statement The electric field of an electromagnetic wave is given by; E = Re(\frac{1}{\sqrt{13}}E_{0}(2\widehat{x}+ 3i\widehat{y})e^{i(kz-wt)}) Identify the polarization state. Homework Equations I = |E_{x}|^{2} + |E_{y}|^{2} Q = |E_{x}|^{2} - |E_{y}|^{2} U = |E_{a}|^{2} -...
  4. C

    Transmission Parameters of Single Vertical Resistor

    Hello every body... Consider two port system having a resistor (can it be called two port system?)... ____---->I1________________I2_<----_________...
  5. V

    Sinusoidal function, find its parameters

    Homework Statement Measurements of the height h(t) of water in a harbor are recorded ,where h is measured in meters and t in hours.It was noted that the rise and fall of a tide is modeled by a sinusoidal function giving the height by : h(t)=a+bsin(kt+c). (a) Obtain values of the...
  6. Z

    Exponential function with 3 parameters?

    Exponential function with 3 parameters?? Homework Statement A researcher suggests that the population, P, at time t can be modeled by P(t) = K / (1 + Le^(-Mt)), where K, L and M are parameters. Use technology to estimate and interpret K, L,and M. Construct the researcher's model using...
  7. I

    How to solve 2nd order ODE with matrix parameters in Matlab

    Homework Statement I have a frequency equation to solve for the displacement for a spring mass damper truss system, as seen below, [m]u''+[c]u'+[k]u=f(t), where m,c,k, are all matrices (2x2), and f(t) is a graph-defined forcing function. I am to use 3 nodes, using the central...
  8. E

    We have that for a crystal the lattice parameters

    Homework Statement We have that for a crystal the lattice parameters (in angstrom and degree) are: a b c (in Angstrom) 10.5 10.5 10.5 \alpha β γ (in degree) 109.5 109.5 109.5...
  9. W

    Variance-covariance matrix and correlation matrix for estimated parameters

    Hi all, I would like some help understand the covariance and correlation matrix as it pertains to estimated parameters. I am performing logistic regression with just one independent variable and a constant term. I am wondering if someone can help me understand the information these...
  10. T

    Functions dependent on a greater number of parameters

    hello :) let's look at the following functions: Langevin function L(x)=ctgh(x)-1/x Brillouin function B(x)=f(x J); when J→∞, then B(x)=L(x) to which I have the following questions: - how was the Brillouin function B(x)=f(x,J) developed? - are there other functions with the...
  11. T

    # of measurments in order to find parameters

    Hi, I've got a question about fitting a known function to a measured data. Suppose I want to find X parameters by fitting a curve to some measurments - What is the minimum number of measurements needed? Someone has told me that I need X+1 measurments, (because one degree of freedom), but...
  12. hagopbul

    I am buying a laser diode but cant understand some parameters

    i am buying Pulsed Laser Diode in Plastic Package 25 W Peak Power SPL PL90 and there is some parameters about semiconductors lasers... Forward current = 40 A why all this current ? then in the catalog Reverse voltage= 3 Volt then they say the Threshold current = 1A ? what is the...
  13. I

    Relation between affine parameters

    In Euclidean three-space with coordinates (x,y,z) and line element ds^2 = dx^2+dy^2-dz^2 It is easy to show using the geodesic equation that: x = lu+l', y=mu+m', z=nu+n' where u is an affine parameter. However, is it possible to find a relation between l,m,n?
  14. A

    Solve 3rd order ode using variation of parameters

    Homework Statement Solve using variation of parameters y''' - 2y'' - y' + 2y = exp(4t) Homework Equations Solve using variation of parameters The Attempt at a Solution I got the homogenous solutions to be 1, -1, and 2. So, y = Aexp(t) + Bexp(-t) + Cexp(2t) + g(t) I got...
  15. R

    Variation of parameters to obtain PS of 2nd Order non-hom equation

    The question I'm trying to solve is: y" - 6y' + 9y = \frac{exp(3x)}{(1+x)} I formulated the Gen solution which are: y1(x) = exp(3x) and y2(x) = xexp(3x) I've then calculated the wronskian to get: exp(6x) I then went onto to use the variation of parameters formula, which is where...
  16. M

    What are the Y and Z parameters for a 2-port circuit and how do you derive them?

    I am solving for the Y and Z parameters for the circuit below: For Y, I used the following equations by applying current sources at the terminals va is the node at the 2v1 dependent source (va-v1)/0.5 + (va-v2)/1 = -2v1 I1 = v1/1 + (v1-va)/0.5 I2 = v2/0.5 + (v2-va)/1 I got Y = [3 -2/3; 0 8/3]...
  17. lonewolf219

    Variation of parameters

    I just realized you can use variation of parameters (VOP) to solve for homogeneous 2nd order equations. I see it takes much longer to do so. But I was wondering why, if you use VOP, the u and v functions are 0. Is this because the coefficients of the homogeneous equation are constant, or...
  18. V

    4th Order Variation of Parameters

    Find the complementary solution of y^\left(4\right) + 2y'' + y = sint Homogeneous Form would be y^\left(4\right) + 2y'' + y = 0 r^4 + 2r^2 + r = 0 \rightarrow r(r^3 + 2r + 1) = 0 This is where I'm stuck. Once I find y_c(t) I should be able to finish the problem, but I'm having trouble at this...
  19. G

    The use of arbitrary parameters in theoretical models

    Hello. I have three questions that I would like to ask.1. Could someone provide me with a resource containing examples of arbitrary parameters in theoretical physics. E.g. a modern example, yet to be varified, is dark energy. A historical example, one which has since been discredited, is the...
  20. M

    These are the Y parameters with the dependent source added.

    for the following circuit, i am trying to find the y parameters i have found y11, y12, and y22 to match the answer that my text provides, but i am having trouble with y21 the solution given is y11 = 1.5, y12 = -0.5, y21 = 4, y22 = -0.5 in trying to solve for y21, i get 4.5 this is...
  21. fluidistic

    Solving DE Using Variation of Parameters & Given Solution

    Homework Statement I must solve (1-x)y''+xy'-y=(1-x)^2 knowing that y=x is a solution if the right hand side is 0. I must use this fact in order to obtain the general solution to the DE Homework Equations Variation of parameters? The Attempt at a Solution I'm looking at...
  22. N

    Is it possible there are many mass parameters for different type of forces ?

    Please teach me this: Is it possible there are corresponding mass parameters for different types of interaction for a certain particle?.Because each type of interaction has an own contribution in total mass.Then considering quarks with electro-weak interaction,despite nonzero total mass of...
  23. R

    Planet transit to derive system parameters

    Homework Statement Measuring the flux of a star as a function of the time, the flux exhibit a decrease of 1.65% for 2h 56m, periodically every 57.22 days. Such decrease is ascribed to a planet transit. The continuous spectrum of the star is like a black body with T= 9500 K, and its...
  24. L

    Solving a DE: Variation of Parameters & Integration Issues

    I've picked up a bit more since my last problem. I need to solve the following DE: x^{2}\frac{dy}{dx}+x(x+2)y=e^{x} I decided to use variation of parameters, so I re-arranged it like so: \frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{e^{x}}{x^{2}}-(1+\frac{2}{x})y Then solved the homogenous DE...
  25. turbo

    Help with parameters for replacement PC.

    Right now, my Achilles heel is a pokey DSL connection, but still, there is some software that I like to use that load quite slowly on my old PC. I have a Dell Dimension 8400 that must be 7-8 years old now, and I've been thinking about passing this one on to my neighbors' grand-daughters. They...
  26. L

    Solving An Initial Value DE Using Variation of Parameters

    I need to find a solution to the following problem: (x^{2}-1)\frac{dy}{dx}+2y=(x+1)^{2} y(0)=0 I decided to try using variation of parameters. My teacher was unable to show any examples, and I'm having issues understanding the textbook. From what I see I need to get it onto this form...
  27. K

    Solving a nonlinear system with parameters

    I'm doing my economics thesis on game theory, and need to solve a system of nonlinear equations (these will be the reaction functions). Unfortunately, I have no idea how to solve it explicitly--indeed, I am a bit worried its impossible with the parameters. It is rather symmetric though. The...
  28. J

    Variation of parameters question

    Homework Statement Using the variation of parameters method, find the general solution of x^{2}y" - 4xy' + 6y= x^{4}sin(x) Homework Equations y_{P}=v_{1}(x)y_{1}(x) + v_{2}(x)y_{2}(x) v_{1}(x)'y_{1}(x) + v_{2}'(x)y_{2}(x)=0 v_{1}(x)'y_{1}(x)' + v_{2}'(x)y_{2}(x)'=x^{4}sin(x)...
  29. P

    Inhomogeneous equations: Variation of Parameters

    Homework Statement Find a particular solution for these second order differential equations. Homework Equations 1) y''+9y=tan3t 2) y''+y=tan^2t The Attempt at a Solution I want to find a fundamental solutions y1 and y2 because I want to find a particular solution like this...
  30. F

    Understanding Variation of Parameters for Solving Differential Equations

    Homework Statement Solve for general solution with variation of parameter y'''(x) - y'(x) = x The Attempt at a Solution I initially looked at y'''(x) - y'(x) = x only and I foudn my answer to be y(x) = C_1e^{x} + C_2e^{-x} + 1 - x Now i looked through my book and it says it works for...
  31. K

    Non-linear least-squares: Uncertainty estimates including non-fitted parameters

    Hi all, I have a question regarding least-squares, and I'm certain I can't be the first one to encounter it, but I've had no luck searching the literature for a solution. Here it is: Say we have a non-linear least-squares optimisation problem. We have data points y_i and a model y(x_i;{\bf...
  32. D

    Calculating Orbit Parameters Given Perigee Velocity and Period

    Hi guys, i can't seem to find the answer . A satellite in Earth orbit has a perigee velocity of 8 km=s and period of 2 hours. From this information, determine all the orbit parameters that you can. From those parameters, determine its altitude at perigee...
  33. C

    Exhaust air flow parameters for car engines (otto & diesel cycles)?

    Does anyone know any sources (i.e. car manufacturers) that provide the exhaust air flow parameters for the some specific car engines? I need stats on various otto & diesel cycle engines (small compact car engines, large semi truck engines, etc.). When I say exhaust air flow parameters, I need to...
  34. D

    Estimating engine parameters

    Homework Statement Several velocities, time, and length scales are useful in understanding what goes on inside engines. Make estimates of the following quantities for a 1.6-liter displacement four-cylinder spark-ignition engine, operating at wide-open throttle at 2500 rev/min. a. The mean...
  35. D

    Given certain parameters, find the percentage of energy that becomes

    Homework Statement The brake fuel conversion efficiency of an egine is 0.3. The mechanical efficiency is 0.8. The combustion efficiency is 0.94. The heat losses to the coolant and oil are 60 kW. The fuel chemical energy entering the engine per unit time, (m_f * Q_HV), is 190 kW. What...
  36. N

    Why is my particular solution not matching with the book's answer?

    Given t^2 y'' -t(t+2)y' = (t+2)y= 2t^3 and y1= t, y2= te^t Find the particular solution- I ve worked the problem to [ -2t^2 -2t] by: -t * Integral [ 2t* te^t/ t^2e^t] + te^t * Integral [ 2t^2/ t^2e^t] whereas the book states that it is simply -2t^2. Can you guys tell me where I made...
  37. N

    Murnaghan equation for lattice parameters?

    Murnaghan equation for lattice parameters? Hi everybody... I'm trying to determine lattice constant (a) for BN by calculating the total energy for different values of a using ABINIT, then chose the one which correspond the minimum value of energy, Is this convenient way to determine a ...
  38. F

    Calculate the transformer parameters

    Question basically asks to find the parameters of a transformer via an open circuit and closed circuit test. We were taught that for OCT, V = (I * cos(theta)) * R V = (I * sin(theta)) * X To find the core losses. This makes sense, since we are only using the component of the current that...
  39. D

    Are there exceptions to adding h parameters in feedback problems of amplifiers?

    Homework Statement In feedback problems of amplifiers we often use H feedback in the voltage controlled voltage sources... The good thing about that is that they are connected in series parallel form and they are then to find the net h parameters we simply add the h parameters of the...
  40. G

    What are the matter wave polarization parameters?

    E/M waves can be polarized, presumably, by filtering either their electric or magnetic transverse vectors. What about matter waves? Can they be electrically or magnetically polarized? Can they be polarized with respect to spin, parity, or any other parameter? That's a lot of...
  41. K

    Constraining parameters for a quadratic equation

    Hi there! I'm working on analyzing some data from an experiment, and you can see a graph of some of the results in the attached .jpg image. I've done both a linear and a quadratic fit on the data points, weighted to error bars (the red lines are the fits). I use percents in the graph, but I'd...
  42. B

    Variation of parameters ODE what am i doing wrong?

    Homework Statement \mathbb{x'}= \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 4 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \mathbf{x} \ + \ \begin{bmatrix} 2e^{t} \\ -e^{t} \end{bmatrix} Find the general solution. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Well i found the eigenvalues of the matrix That i'll call...
  43. D

    What parameters of SM can be changed gradually?

    For example, mass spectrum can't vary because energy is conserved (locally). What's about other parameters? Could CKM angles be different in earlier époque? It could save the Sakharov’s mechanism, if CP violation was more intense during bareogenesis.
  44. M

    How to get parameters of interaction between atoms of H2 and C6H6?

    HI, I want to reproduce results from the article (attached). I need to get parameters of interaction between atoms of H2 and C6H6 for Morse equation. I easily got results of interation between MOLECULES H2 and C6H6, shown in Table S2 'The first-principles and Morse force field (eq.1)...'...
  45. B

    Is it possible to get a equivalent capacitance from S parameters?

    Hi there, first, I apologize for my poor English. I made a simulation model and get results from HFSS Model has a equivalent circuit like that.(1) I run that model and get pair of solutions 'frequency vs response' like S parameter for each frequency. So, with these results, is it possible to...
  46. S

    How to incorporate evidence into parameters of a Bayesian network?

    Greetings, Maybe I'm getting a little bit confused, but I'm looking for resources which explain how to update parameters of a Bayesian network as a result of observations. There are various inference methods, but unless I'm missing something here, these methods produce a posterior...
  47. K

    Circular highway; minimize radius under certain parameters

    Homework Statement These conditions include the following: (1)radius must be as small as possible. (2)It needs to be possible to park a car on the curve without sliding off on an icy day when coefficients of static and kinetic friction are .2 and .1 respectively. (3)Cars need to make the...
  48. M

    Which parameters affect about friction? and why?

    which parameters affect about friction? and why?
  49. R

    Global fitting with shared parameters

    Homework Statement Hi I'm looking for an algorithm that can perform a fitting procedure on many curves simultaneously. Let's say, for example, that I have 3 exponential decay curves with 3 different decay times but they all share the same initial amplitude. So I have to find a fit for 4...
  50. B

    Stats: mle with two parameters

    Homework Statement in a genetics situation, we have two variables, x1 and x2, such that both x1 and x2 >0, and x1+x2<1. we have: p1 = x12 p2 = x22 p3 = (1-x1-x2)2 p4 = 2x1x2 p5 = 2x1(1-x1-x2) p6 = 2x2(1-x1-x2) find the mles for x1 and x2. Homework Equations the answer (from the...
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