I the beginner have some general question

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The discussion centers on the challenges of graphing higher-dimensional figures, particularly in the context of quantum physics. Participants emphasize that while one can theoretically add axes for additional dimensions, representing a fifth dimension is complex due to the requirement for perpendicularity among axes. They suggest that if a graph involves symmetrical properties, it may be possible to simplify the representation without losing significant information. The conversation also highlights the intersection of mathematics and physics, noting that while graphing may seem purely mathematical, it holds relevance in physical contexts. Ultimately, the dialogue encourages a broader understanding of how mathematical concepts apply to physical phenomena.
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Keep in mind while reading all peaple who wish to learn must start somewhere i feel like a critique from peaple who know what there talking about might help feel free to tell me how wrong i am becouse i asume i am very wrong indeed

i am just starting out in my very very very minuet view and ideas on quantum physics i was wondering as far as graphing goes i understand how to graph a one dimensional figure as well as a two dimensional and a three you simply add an axis ( I.E third dimensional Z axis) so theoreticly could you graph a 5 diimentional figure even without the understanding of what a 5th dimensional figure would look like.
 
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welcome to pf!

hi pureinterest! welcome to pf! :smile:
pureinterest said:
… as far as graphing goes i understand how to graph a one dimensional figure as well as a two dimensional and a three you simply add an axis ( I.E third dimensional Z axis) so theoreticly could you graph a 5 diimentional figure even without the understanding of what a 5th dimensional figure would look like.

not really

any extra axis has to be perpendicular to all the others, and there's no way of representing that

but if the graph is of a body or field with a symmetry, then we can "suppress" the dimension which has the symmetry without losing much information …

for example, we often assume that a black hole is spherically symmetric, which enables us to represent its 4D space-time geometry with a 2D graph
 
that makes much more sense thank you
 
frogjg2003 said:
Try asking in the general mathematics forum instead. You change nothing by removing any reference to quantum mechanics, and it becomes a math problem.

your looking at this too closed minded just because its only a pure math problem doesn't mean that it has no value to physics for instance E=MC^2 is only a math equation but what it stands for is where the meaning is
 
pureinterest said:
your looking at this too closed minded just because its only a pure math problem doesn't mean that it has no value to physics for instance E=MC^2 is only a math equation but what it stands for is where the meaning is
And just because it applies to physics doesn't mean it isn't a math problem. You're asking how to plot more than 2 dimensions on a plot. That is highly relevant to physics, but unless there is a specific physical phenomenon you are trying to represent, it is too general and falls in the domain of mathematics.
tiny-tims provides a good example, you have 4 dimensions: time and 3 space, but the three space are the same, so you can represent it as only time and one space dimension.
 
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