What Does n^{-1} Really Represent in Mathematical Terms?

[help1please]

Homework Statement

The problem is stated in the attempt as a solution

Homework Equations

There are none

The Attempt at a Solution

Suppose you have

n^{-1} am I right in thinking this is just \frac{n}{1} so for something like n^{-2} would it be simply \frac{n}{2}?

 

[Dick]

No. Why would you think that? n^(-1)=1/n, n^(-2)=1/n^2.

 

[help1please]

Because in Dimensional analysis, we tend to use the notation ie. MTl^{-2} which would mean that it is mass times time divided by length squared...


mmm... has it got something to do with things like

\epsilon \mu = c^{-2}

such that

\sqrt{\epsilon \mu} = \frac{1}{c}

I could be totally off, mind my ignorance.

 

[Dick]

I have no idea what you are confused about. The definition of n^(-k) where k>=0 is pretty simple. It's 1/n^k. Could you try and explain again?

 

[help1please]

Let's try this again. Let us say, E is energy.

What would be E^{-2} be?

 

[Dick]

Let's try this again. Let us say, E is energy.

What would be E^{-2} be?

It would be 1/E^2. Since energy has units M*L^2/T^2, E^2 has units M^2*L^4/T^4. So 1/E^2 would have units T^4/(M^2*L^4). Wouldn't it?

 

[help1please]

In fact let's do this another way. I was reading about the dirac operator

D(\psi) = \hbar^2 R^{-2} \psi(x)

How does R^{-2} read to you? Just 1/R^2 like you said before?

 

[Ray Vickson]

In fact let's do this another way. I was reading about the dirac operator

D(\psi) = \hbar^2 R^{-2} \psi(x)

How does R^{-2} read to you? Just 1/R^2 like you said before?

If R is a number, then YES, it is just 1/R². If R is an operator, then NO, it means something different.

RGV

 

[help1please]

R is taken to be a radius or a length.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Because in Dimensional analysis, we tend to use the notation ie. MTl^{-2} which would mean that it is mass times time divided by length squared...

Yes, "divided by length squared" which contradicts what you wrote! MTl²= MT/l², Not "MTl/2".

mmm... has it got something to do with things like

\epsilon \mu = c^{-2}

such that

\sqrt{\epsilon \mu} = \frac{1}{c}

I could be totally off, mind my ignorance.

You are making this much too difficult- \epsilon\mu= \frac{1}{c^2} which again contradicts what you said originally.