Criteria for oprators

1. May 23, 2007

electrous

we have ,
W=F(m)
here W is function of m
how do we define the fuction f as only as multiplication if this formula represent weight of the body. is there any criteria for mathmatical oprators to be addition, subtraction , multiplecation or division plzzz explian..

2. May 23, 2007

Astronuc

Staff Emeritus
Well, weight is a vector, and the operation with m (where m is mass, which is a scalar) is m * g, where g is the local acceleration due to gravity, a vector. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (+, -, *, /) are dyadic operators which 'operate or provide a relationship between 'two' operands.

http://www.maxonline.lsu.edu/pages/MFguide/Algebraic/Algebraic.pdf

3. May 25, 2007

electrous

in equatiion W=f(m), the function can be successfully expressed as +ve, -ve, multiplicion and its inverse, then my question is why we consider function f as multipliction and why not others.
sir if we consider the function as +ve , we get a new value of f which will satisfy all conditions , this will have happen in all cases.
I want , I think there must be a criteria,to know about it.

4. May 25, 2007

matt grime

I don't think we can explain, as the question doesn't make any sense.

5. May 25, 2007

CRGreathouse

My best guess is confusion between the implicit multiplication (x)(y) and the functional notation f(x).