What Are the Key Differences in Substitution Notation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ver_mathstats
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Notation
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding substitution notation in mathematical expressions. The first substitution example correctly transforms (3 · a + 5 · b) into (3 · b + 5 · a) by swapping variables a and b. In contrast, the second example attempts to apply two substitutions sequentially but results in (3 · b + 5 · b), indicating a misunderstanding of how substitutions interact. The confusion arises from the order and method of applying multiple substitutions, highlighting the need for clarity in substitution rules. Overall, the thread seeks assistance in grasping the nuances of these substitution notations.
ver_mathstats
Messages
258
Reaction score
21
Homework Statement
We have to do calculations that involve substitutions.
Relevant Equations
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a, b ≔ b, a]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a ≔ b][b ≔ a]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[b, a ≔ a, b]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[b ≔ a][a ≔ b]
For the first one so far I have
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a, b ≔ b, a]
=⟨ Substitution ⟩
(3 · b + 5 · a)
So far this is right, however I don't really know the difference between the others.

For the second one I did
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a ≔ b][b ≔ a]
=⟨ Substitution ⟩
(3 · b + 5 · b)
For this one I got it wrong, I thought I would have to do two substitutions but it's not working out and I keep getting it wrong. I'm very confused what the difference is between all four.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ver_mathstats said:
Homework Statement:: We have to do calculations that involve substitutions.
Relevant Equations:: (3 · a + 5 · b)[a, b ≔ b, a]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a ≔ b][b ≔ a]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[b, a ≔ a, b]
(3 · a + 5 · b)[b ≔ a][a ≔ b]
What does this notation in these problems mean?
ver_mathstats said:
For the first one so far I have
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a, b ≔ b, a]
=⟨ Substitution ⟩
(3 · b + 5 · a)
So far this is right, however I don't really know the difference between the others.

For the second one I did
(3 · a + 5 · b)[a ≔ b][b ≔ a]
=⟨ Substitution ⟩
(3 · b + 5 · b)
For this one I got it wrong, I thought I would have to do two substitutions but it's not working out and I keep getting it wrong. I'm very confused what the difference is between all four.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
957
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
1K