Displacement as a discrete function of time

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of displacement as a discrete function of time, specifically focusing on how displacement, denoted as ##x##, varies with an initial displacement ##X_0##. The original poster presents a series of values for ##x(t)## based on different time instances and seeks to understand if there is a method to express ##x(t)## explicitly as a function of time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various methods of interpolation for assigning curves through discrete points. They discuss the implications of defining displacement and the relationship between displacement and volume in a three-dimensional context. Questions arise regarding the correctness of the volume expression and the definitions of the variables involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on interpolation methods and questioning the original poster's assumptions about the relationships between the variables. There are multiple interpretations of the volume expression and the nature of the function ##x##, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of explicit definitions for the variables and functions being discussed, which contributes to the complexity of the conversation. The original poster emphasizes that time is treated as a discrete variable in their context, which may influence the interpretation of the problem.

Apashanka
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Homework Statement
Given initial displacement ##X_0## and displacement at any time ##t## as ##x##.

Where ##x(t)=f_t(X_0)## where the functional dependence of ##x## upon ##X_0## changes with time.

For exm ##X_0=2## and ##x(t_1)=X^2_0=4,x(t_2)=X^2_0+1=5,x(t_3)=X_0^3+3=11....##and so on.

From this, is there any method to find ##x(t)## as an explicit function of time??(##X_0=##constt,initial fixed coord.)

Another part from above we find ##dx=(\partial_{X_0}f_t(X_0))dX_0## and hence in 3-D ##d^3x=\Pi_i (\partial_{X_i} f_t(X_i)d^3X##

Therefore at any time the volume will be ##\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## isn't it??
Relevant Equations
Given initial displacement ##X_0## and displacement at any time ##t## as ##x##.

Where ##x(t)=f_t(X_0)## where the functional dependence of ##x## upon ##X_0## changes with time.

For exm ##X_0=2## and ##x(t_1)=X^2_0=4,x(t_2)=X^2_0+1=5,x(t_3)=X_0^3+3=11....##and so on.

From this, is there any method to find ##x(t)## as an explicit function of time??(##X_0=##constt,initial fixed coord.)

Another part from above we find ##dx=(\partial_{X_0}f_t(X_0))dX_0## and hence in 3-D ##d^3x=\Pi_i (\partial_{X_i} f_t(X_i)d^3X##

Therefore at any time the volume will be ##\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## isn't it??
Given initial displacement ##X_0## and displacement at any time ##t## as ##x##.
Where ##x(t)=f_t(X_0)## where the functional dependence of ##x## upon ##X_0## changes with time.
For exm ##X_0=2## and ##x(t_1)=X^2_0=4,x(t_2)=X^2_0+1=5,x(t_3)=X_0^3+3=11...##and so on.
From this, is there any method to find ##x(t)## as an explicit function of time??(##X_0=##constt,initial fixed coord.)
Another part from above we find ##dx=(\partial_{X_0}f_t(X_0))dX_0## and hence in 3-D ##d^3x=\Pi_i (\partial_{X_i} f_t(X_i)d^3X##
Therefore at any time the volume will be ##\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## isn't it??
 
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No.
 
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jbriggs444 said:
No.
Then what will be will you please help??
 
Apashanka said:
Then what will be will you please help??
As I understand it, you are interested in interpolation. There is no unique way of assigning a curve through a set of discrete points. Various approaches are possible such as linear interpolation, interpolating polynomials, cubic splines and least squares fit to a [insert function family here].

Typically, one wants to find a function family that is well motivated physically and then use a least squares approach to zero in on a suitable family member.
 
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jbriggs444 said:
As I understand it, you are interested in interpolation. There is no unique way of assigning a curve through a set of discrete points. Various approaches are possible such as linear interpolation, interpolating polynomials, cubic splines and least squares fit to a [insert function family here].

Typically, one wants to find a function family that is well motivated physically and then use a least squares approach to zero in on a suitable family member.
Is the volume expression correct what I have posted above??
 
No.
 
jbriggs444 said:
No.
Then what it will be ??
 
See response #4 above.
 
jbriggs444 said:
See response #4 above.
I am asking for the volume expression e.g ##d^3x## in my first post
 
  • #10
Apashanka said:
I am asking for the volume expression e.g ##d^3x## in my first post
First you have to define x. As #4 points out, you cannot do that merely by stating a finite number of values. The idea that the third derivative of x (with respect to time?) is a "volume" is disconcerting as well.
 
  • #11
jbriggs444 said:
First you have to define x. As #4 points out, you cannot do that merely by stating a finite number of values.
What I am asking is as ##x=f_t(X)## at any time ##t## then ##dx=\partial_X f_t(X) dX## and in 3-D it becomes ##d^3x=\Pi_i \partial_{X_i}f_t(X_i) d^3X## also sometimes called ##d^3x=Jd^3X##.
Integrating both sides can it be written ##v(t)=\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## for given ##Xi's##..??(##f_t(X)## known for any finite time)
 
  • #12
Apashanka said:
What I am asking is as ##x=f_t(X)## at any time ##t## then ##dx=\partial_X f_t(X) dX## and in 3-D it becomes ##d^3x=\Pi_i \partial_{X_i}f_t(X_i) d^3X## also sometimes called ##d^3x=Jd^3X##.
Integrating both sides can it be written ##v(t)=\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## for given ##Xi's##..??
I see a lot of notation with nary a definition in sight.
 
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  • #13
Apashanka said:
What I am asking is as ##x=f_t(X)## at any time ##t## then ##dx=\partial_X f_t(X) dX## and in 3-D it becomes ##d^3x=\Pi_i \partial_{X_i}f_t(X_i) d^3X## also sometimes called ##d^3x=Jd^3X##.
Integrating both sides can it be written ##v(t)=\Pi_i f_t(X_i)## for given ##Xi's##..??(##f_t(X)## known for any finite time)
Presumably you mean ##x(X,t)=f_t(X)##, and since t is continuous that is effectively ##x(X,t)=f(t,X)##. So ##dx=\partial_X f(t,X) dX+\partial_t f(t,X) dt##.

But you seem not to be concerned with t as a variable, so let's make it simpler by getting rid of it: ##x(X)=f(X)##, ##dx=f'(X) dX##.

Your volume differential is then ##d^3x=\Pi_i f'(X_i) d^3X=Jd^3X##, but I'm not sure you can integrate that as ##v=\Pi_i f(X_i)##. Need to think about the bounds.
 
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  • #14
haruspex said:
Presumably you mean ##x(X,t)=f_t(X)##, and since t is continuous that is effectively ##x(X,t)=f(t,X)##. So ##dx=\partial_X f(t,X) dX+\partial_t f(t,X) dt##.

But you seem not to be concerned with t as a variable, so let's make it simpler by getting rid of it: ##x(X)=f(X)##, ##dx=f'(X) dX##.

Your volume differential is then ##d^3x=\Pi_i f'(X_i) d^3X=Jd^3X##, but I'm not sure you can integrate that as ##v=\Pi_i f(X_i)##. Need to think about the bounds.
I am not taking ##x## as an explicit function of ##t## , although ##x## varies with ##t##...to take this into account ##x## at any ##t## is ##f_t(X)## where the functional dependence changes with time given ##X## fixed initial coordinate.
For exm for given ##X=2## say ##x## at ##t_1## varies as ##X^2##,at ##t_2## as ##X^2+2## ,at ##t_3## as ##X+15## and so on...
 
  • #15
Apashanka said:
I am not taking ##x## as an explicit function of ##t## , although ##x## varies with ##t##...to take this into account ##x## at any ##t## is ##f_t(X)## where the functional dependence changes with time given ##X## fixed initial coordinate.
For exm for given ##X=2## say ##x## at ##t_1## varies as ##X^2##,at ##t_2## as ##X^2+2## ,at ##t_3## as ##X+15## and so on...
So although t is time it is a discrete variable, and does not really enter into the matter as far as the thread is concerned.
 
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