What is Variable: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A variable star is a star whose brightness as seen from Earth (its apparent magnitude) fluctuates.
This variation may be caused by a change in emitted light or by something partly blocking the light, so variable stars are classified as either:

Intrinsic variables, whose luminosity actually changes; for example, because the star periodically swells and shrinks.
Extrinsic variables, whose apparent changes in brightness are due to changes in the amount of their light that can reach Earth; for example, because the star has an orbiting companion that sometimes eclipses it.Many, possibly most, stars have at least some variation in luminosity: the energy output of our Sun, for example, varies by about 0.1% over an 11-year solar cycle.

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  1. M

    Dynamics help: variable acceleration and angular velocity

    I have to do these 2 problems for homework, but I can't figure them out. Any help would be appreciated. 1. The motorcycle is traveling at 1m/s when it is at A(the origin). If the speed is then increased at \dot{V} = .1 m/s^2, determine its speed and acceleration at the instant t = 5 seconds...
  2. C

    Using Hubble parameter defn to change integration variable from t to a

    Homework Statement r1 = t∫t1 1/a(t) dt Use the Hubble parameter definition to change from t to a, if a(t) = a and a(t1) = 1 Homework Equations Hubble parameter H = a' / a where a' = da/dt The Attempt at a Solution Start with Hubble parameter definition, and rearrange to find dt aH =...
  3. P

    Evaluate the limit by change of variable

    Hey everyone :) Got stuckon a calc question and needed some help, my test is coming up :S Please & thankyouu! Here's the question: Evauate the limit by change of variable: lim (x-->4) [(x^1/2)-2] / [(x^1/3)-8] The answer in the back of the book is 1/12. It MAY be wrong though...
  4. A

    MHB Formula for a geometric series with variable common ratio

    I have the following summation where a is a positive constant and can be > 1 $$ \sum_{k=2}^{n}a^{n-k} $$ I am trying to find a general formula for this summation, which turns out to be a geometric series with a as the common ratio. I have worked out the following: $$ \sum_{k=2}^{n}a^{n-k} =...
  5. R

    MHB Evaluating a variable expression

    a=4,b=3 and c=-2 5ab/12-2cb:confused:
  6. R

    MHB Evaluating a variable expression 2

    Evaluate the variable expression when a=3,b=1 and c=-2 b^2-4ac. This is new to me so please explain how to do this.
  7. K

    How Does a Variable Air-Filled Capacitor Achieve Maximum Capacitance?

    Homework Statement A variable air-filled capacitor of the type used in tuning radios is shown. Alternate plates are connected together, one group fixed in position (shown in dark grey), the other group capable of rotation (shown in light gray). Consider a pile of n plates of...
  8. C

    Interpretation of Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) voltage output

    Good day to all Physics Forums members, I am currently undertaking a project which involves the use of a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) to measure the distance an object makes between two points. My setup is as follows: LVDT Type: Solartron DC50 with sensitivity of 6.158...
  9. micromass

    Analysis Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable by Markushevich

    Author: A.I. Markushevich Title: Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/082183780X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Real Analysis Level: Undergrad Table of Contents of Volume I: Basic Concepts Introduction Analytic Functions of a Real...
  10. T

    Diffrentiability of function with two variable

    Hii please help me to Solve problems diffrentiability of function with two variable with one method.
  11. V

    Variable frequency sound waves

    Problem: The problem asks to find which frequencies a listener, whom is receiving sound waves in the same direction from two variable-frequency speakers 50ft and 55ft away, will not hear anything at all. Solution (so far): My approach is to find an expression for the wave coming from each...
  12. T

    Variable Inverter: Can Output Depend on Digital Resistor?

    Hi Would it be possible to make an inverter, with the output dependant on a digital resistor? Simon
  13. A

    Cdf of a discrete random variable and convergence of distributions

    In the page that I attached, it says "...while at the continuity points x of F_x (i.e., x \not= 0), lim F_{X_n}(x) = F_X(x)." But we know that the graph of F_X(x) is a straight line y=0, with only x=0 at y=1, right? But then all the points to the right of zero should not be equal to the limit of...
  14. Jameson

    MHB Ella's question from Facebook (solving for a variable)

    I have 3 problems I'm stuck on. Anyone please help. B=1/9(one ninth)pi to the 2nd power t and trying to solve for t Then this one, c=1/2(half)mr solving for m And solve the formula for the indicated variable P=a+2b+4c, for a.
  15. W

    Expected Value and Binomial Random Variable

    1. In scanning electron microscopy photography, a specimen is placed in a vacuum chamber and scanned by an electron beam. Secondary electrons emitted from the specimen are collected by a detector and an image is displayed on a cathode-ray tube. This image is photographed. In the past a 4- ...
  16. Q

    A determinant containing a variable

    Homework Statement I have this 4x4 determinant and usually these are just mechanical work, until I stumbled upon one containing x, how should one go about solving these type of determinants? [x 2x 4 x ] [1 2 2x 1 ] [2x x-1 2 3x] [ 2 x+1 x+3 x-1] What are the different values of...
  17. O

    MHB Discrete-continuous random variable

    Hello everyone! I'm looking at the following random variables: $Z_1$ is normally distributed with zero mean and variance $\sigma _1 ^2$ $Z_2$ is normally distributed with zero mean and variance $\sigma _2 ^2$ $B$ is Bernoulli with probability of success $p$. $X$ is a random variable that...
  18. J

    Review in Variable Differentiation

    Please see attached. I was looking for an explanation of the answer I have attached. Its been a little while and was just looking for the logic behind the differentiation shown for this problem. Its basically an optimization problem where I am looking for the minimum angle (theta) for the...
  19. G

    How to Calculate Luminosity of an RR Lyrae Star?

    Homework Statement Given pulsation period in days, (surface temperature) and mass of an RR Lyra variable star. How do you find luminosity? Homework Equations The relevant equations seem to be for finding the luminosity of Cepheids... there are no equations for Lyrae... Other than, absolute...
  20. K

    Calculators [casio fx-350ES] How to input an equation with 1 variable in a calculator

    Hello everyone, I was just going through the manual of my casio fx-350ES calculator to find out how i can input an equation with one variable. let's say the equation below: (t/5)^1.514 t being the variable Then i would like to input a range of values for my variable, t so that i can...
  21. Z

    New Continuously Variable Transmission

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzRzmfh884 Unlike other CVTs that use belts or steel balls, this is obviously not friction based therefore it should be more efficient and be able to withstand higher torques without any risk of slippage. The main problem that must be solved is the trepidation...
  22. F

    Doubt in hidden variable concepts

    Hi, I am trying to read the chapter 2 of the book "Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics" from J. Bell. I have got some doubts and I would be glad if someone could help me. I see that λ is a vector that makes the role of the hidden variable. All the tricks about the angles between...
  23. I

    Macroscopic superpostion and hidden variable theories

    I have been reading: http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560561.001.0001/acprof-9780199560561-chapter-20 It appears Pilot wave theories have no way to explain macroscopic superpostion. Any thoughts or opinons on this?
  24. C

    Atwood's Machine with one side holding a variable mass

    Homework Statement Figure 5-47 shows Atwood's machine, in which two containers are connected by a cord (of negligible mass) passing over a frictionless pulley (also of negligible mass). At time t = 0, container 1 has mass 1.30 kg and container 2 has mass 2.80 kg, but container 1 is losing...
  25. I

    Do hidden variable theories reject superposition of states?

    do Hidden variable(local and non local) theories say all objects exist as a single objects in a single location rather than many locations at the same? unlike objects in superpostion?
  26. G

    Change of variable in integral of product of exponential and gaussian functions

    I have the integral \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}dx \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}dy e^{-\xi \vert x-y\vert}e^{-x^2}e^{-y^2} where \xi is a constant. I would like to transform by some change of variables in the form \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}dx F(x) \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}dy G(y) the problem is...
  27. J

    On solving for a variable in the magnitude of a complex number

    All, I've been beating my head up on this equation, so I thought I'd try here to see if someone could help me. In the equation (sqrt{32}(2x-d))^-4 = (-d/2 - 1/2 )^2 + sqrt{(1+d)^2 + d/4}/4 Where the right hand side is my attempt to solve for d out of the magnitude |z| of a complex...
  28. J

    PDE with variable boundary condition

    Homework Statement I am trying to solve this PDE with variable boundary condition, and I want to use combination method. But I have problem with the second boundary condition, which is not transformed to the new variable. Can you please give me some advise? Homework Equations (∂^2 T)/(∂x^2...
  29. E

    Analyze two variable function with respect to another function

    Can you please help me with the following problem: Given a function of the form f(x,y) = (a-b x)^2 - (c - d y)^2, how can I tell how does f change when (x-y) change?
  30. W

    Solving Complex Equations: Step-by-Step Guide for Large Numbers"

    I've been looking on youtube to try and learn how to do these more complex equations but all the examples use small numbers that easily fall into place. Ive got Equation One: 48A - 32B - 2C = 0 Equation Two: -32A +46B - 11C = 0 Equation Three: -2A - 11B + 13C = 54 Ive mulitplied...
  31. PhizKid

    Max distance up incline plane with variable friction

    Homework Statement A block with initial velocity of 10 m/s is sent up an incline at 30 degrees from the horizontal. The coefficient of friction is 0.2x where x is the displacement. Find the maximum distance the block moves up the incline. Homework Equations F = ma (1/2)mv^2 mgh The...
  32. L

    Variable formula question Why does W2 = 24W1?

    Variable formula question... Why does W2 = 24W1? 1. "To accelerate a certain car from rest to the speed v requires the work W1. The work needed to accelerate the car from v to 5v is W2. Which of the following is correct?" 2. The only forumulas I can think of that deal with work are: W = Fd...
  33. M

    Engineering Constructing an op amp circuit of variable gain neg to pos

    Homework Statement Suppose you are given an ideal op amp, an ideal voltage source with voltage Vs, 5 resistors with resistance R, and one variable resistor whose resistance can be adjusts continuously between .2R and R. Use these components to design a circuit, assuming ideal op-amp behavior...
  34. A

    Find Density of z in Change of Variable Homework

    Homework Statement Let x,y be iid and x, y \sim U(0,1) (uniform on the open set (0,1)) and let z = xy^2. Find the density of z. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution P(z \leq w) = P(xy^2 \leq w) = P(- \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}} \leq y \leq \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}) = \int^{...
  35. U

    Prove that a variable chord of ellipse

    Homework Statement Prove that a variable chord of ellipse which subtends 90° at the centre is always tangent to a concentric circle Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I assume the simplest equation of ellipse to be \dfrac{x^2}{a^2}+\dfrac{y^2}{b^2}=1 and the variable chord...
  36. S

    Effect variable cylinder radius has on airflow

    Can someone shed some light on the following problem? I'm unable to get any traction on it as I know nothing about fluid dynamics (I'm a computer engineer). It's a problem I made up over a lunch discussion with a friend. I've illustrated it as folows:
  37. O

    Confounding Variables in Insect Experiment: A,E,F

    An experiment is set up to test whether a particular insect prefer a dark or a bright environment. A chamber with a gradient in light intensity from one end (dark) to the other (bright) has been made. The experimental hypothesis is: “There will be a large difference between the number of insect...
  38. N

    Finding the acceleration of a variable crank mechanism.

    I've attempted multiple times, but don't really know which way to go and none of them are getting to the answer. I've got the question (below), got it wrong and been told the correct answer. A variable crank mechanism consists of a slider in a slot which is rotated around an axis at constant...
  39. B

    Induction motor load estimation from a variable resistive load

    Hello, I'm trying to find out how much energy an induction motor pulls over a 24 hour period when connected to a resistive load. The only data I have are the specifcations of the motor, so I can estimate how much energy it will draw based on what capacity it might be running at. Really...
  40. B

    Q-Q plot equivalent for discrete variable?

    Hello, You can use a Q-Q plot to visually test if 2 continuous variables are from the same distribution and you get a straight line. Is there a way to visually test if 2 discrete variables are from the same distribution? Also is there a way to test it mathematically? Thanks
  41. K

    Conditional Expectation of a random variable

    My professor made a rather concise statement in class, which sums to this: E(Y|X=xi) = constant. E(Y|X )= variable. Could anyone help me understand how the expectation is calculated for the second case? I understand that for different values of xi, we'll have different values for the...
  42. A

    Continuous Variable pdf from a cdf

    Homework Statement f X,Y(x,y) = (8 +xy^3)/64, if -1<x<1, -2<y<2 0, otherwise Find the probability density function of W = 2X+Y. Homework Equations F(w) = Pr{W≤w}=∫∫f(x,y)dxdy f(w) = d/dw F(w) The Attempt at a Solution I found the support of W to be -4<w<4 I...
  43. A

    Does Elec Engineering need calc (multi variable, diff equations, etc)

    Hi guys, I'm a transfer student, and I've wanted to do electrical engineering. My only problem is i love the idea of circuit boards and hardware, but math really isn't my enjoyment, and i just kinda passed the classes without much understandment. Do electrical engineers actually need math...
  44. A

    Change of Variable in multiple Integrals

    Homework Statement Let D be the triangular region in the xy-plane with the vertices (1, 2), (3, 6), and (7, 4). Consider the transformation T : x = 3u − 2v, y = u + v. (a) Find the vertices of the triangle in the uv-plane whose image under the transformation T is the triangle D. (b)...
  45. A

    [Python] Optimization: determining gradient with variable window size

    Hi all, I'm not quite sure if this is the right place to post my question, so forgive me if its not... I've written a program in Python that analyses data that I got from a compression experiment (mechanical testing of rocks and such), and I've written a piece of code that estimates the...
  46. T

    Finding final velocity with variable acceleration due to air resistance

    Homework Statement Hello! This is my first time posting here but I have been viewing these forums for help in my physics class for a while. Lately I have been stuck on one single problem that I haven’t been able to find any help with anywhere online. Any who, here is the problem: a cat...
  47. F

    Modular arithmetic with a variable modulus and fractions

    (This is my first post.) I can't seem to find a good way of solving this sort of congruence for x: x^2 / 3 + 11 \equiv 5 (mod x) Through trial and error it appears at least 3 and 6 are answers, but how can you reach them regularly? (I'm heard conflicting things about fractions being...
  48. A

    MATLAB [Matlab] Plotting two functions of the same variable against each other

    I need to make two plots of volume as a function of time vs pressure as a function of time. When plotted the graph will have an enclosed area. I am having trouble on how to have MATLAB plot these two functions against each other. My experience with MATLAB is having a function defined in a...
  49. C

    Q: How to compute P(X=200 and Y<150)?

    Homework Statement 1000 independent rolls of a fair die will be made. Compute an approximation to the probability that the number 6 will appear between 150 and 200 times inclusively. If the number 6 appears exactly 200 times, find the probability that the number 5 will appear less than 150...
  50. B

    Can I hook a 50 Ohm Variable Attenuator To This Circuit?

    The is the Output circuit of a microphone I'm using to look at photoacoustic signal, is just an Op-Amp, connected to a high pass filter which is using a 30 Kohm resistor. Sadly, the signal the microphone gives is too strong for the lock-in I'm using to read the signal, and overloads it. I want...
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