What is Parameters: Definition and 534 Discussions

A parameter (from the Ancient Greek παρά, para: "beside", "subsidiary"; and μέτρον, metron: "measure"), generally, is any characteristic that can help in defining or classifying a particular system (meaning an event, project, object, situation, etc.). That is, a parameter is an element of a system that is useful, or critical, when identifying the system, or when evaluating its performance, status, condition, etc.
Parameter has more specific meanings within various disciplines, including mathematics, computer programming, engineering, statistics, logic, linguistics, electronic musical composition.
In addition to its technical uses, there are also extended uses, especially in non-scientific contexts, where it is used to mean defining characteristics or boundaries, as in the phrases 'test parameters' or 'game play parameters'.

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  1. F

    Scattering Parameters and S-domain

    Just curious, are S parameters related to S-domain and Laplace transforms, or is the use of S just a coincidence? I know that when using S parameters you are working in the frequency domain, but it doesn't seem that you need to use the Laplace transform to use the S parameter concept.
  2. J

    Determining RC EDF Motor Parameters

    Hello All, I am new to the field of electrical ducted fan (EDF) jets and am currently working on a new aerodynamic design using SolidWorks and Flow Simulation for aerodynamics testing. For my computer model, I can enter data for a fan that I would like to use for the thrust of my models, and my...
  3. Eclair_de_XII

    I don't understand how parameters are eliminated

    Homework Statement Eliminate the parameter and identify the graph of the pair of parametric equations. Determine the domain (the set of x-coordinates) and the range (the set of y-coordinates). x = sin t, y = -3 sin t - 5 Homework Equations y = -3x - 5 Domain: (-∞,∞) Range: (-∞,∞) The Attempt...
  4. M

    Engineering Using the Locked Rotor Test to find parameters of DC motor?

    Homework Statement A locked rotor test is performed on a permanent magnet DC machine with the following results: Terminal Voltage 5 V DC Input Current 10 A DC Locked rotor torque. 20 Nm a) Making suitable approximations deduce the effective rotor resistance in ohms? b) Making suitable...
  5. MattRob

    How to Set Daofind Parameters in IRAF for Single Brightest Object Detection?

    So, I've recently just began some undergraduate research, and a task I'm working on is developing some simple scripts for IRAF that might be rather useful. I'm new to the whole thing, but my professor has mentioned that daofind can run in a such a way that it only creates coordinates for the...
  6. D

    A few queries on the variation of parameters method

    I've been reviewing my knowledge on the technique of variation of parameters to solve differential equations and have a couple of queries that I'd like to clear up (particularly for 2nd order inhomogeneous ODEs), if possible. The first is that, given the complementary solution...
  7. Feeble Wonk

    What are the Complementary Parameters in Quantum Physics?

    I was thinking about the various complementary parameters in quantum physics. I'm curious if anyone is aware of a "complete" list of such measurements or qualities that has been compiled in one source, based on current knowledge.
  8. Y

    How to determine the coupling parameters in SM or beyond SM?

    Dear everyone, For example, the simplest action for a nonminimally coupled scalar field is S=\int d^{4}x\sqrt{-g}\left[ \frac{1}{2}g^{\mu \nu }\partial _{\mu }\phi \partial _{\nu }\phi -V(\phi )+\frac{\xi }{2}R\phi ^{2}\right]. \xi=0 leads to the scalar field minimally coupled to the...
  9. M

    Parameters of Moving Particles: What's Needed?

    How much and what type of parameters needs and enough to completely describe moving? Of particle for example.
  10. Philosophaie

    Calculate Sun and Moon Astronomical Parameters with VSOP87 Accuracy

    Can someone direct me to a way to calculate Right Ascension, Declination, Ecliptic Longitude and Latitude of the Sun and Moon from the Julian Date with the accuracy of VSOP87?
  11. D

    Least Squares Estimation for two parameters

    Homework Statement Hi guys, so the problem is as follows: A set of n independent measurements y_{i}, i=1...n are treated as Gaussian, each with standard deviations \sigma_{i}. Each measurement corresponds to a value of a control variable x_{i}. The expectation value of y is given by...
  12. P

    Power Transmission Line and Transformer Parameters

    Hi, I was wondering if it would be possible for someone to help me clarify a few things regarding transmission lines and transformers? For a Power Transmission line, what exactly is the mutual coupling between phases of a 3 phase line? Is this the same as the shunt capacitance and if not...
  13. ChrisVer

    Problem with Surface Brightness & cosmological parameters

    I have a problem with some question I had to answer for the Surface Brightness \Sigma \propto \frac{Flux}{Angular~area}= \frac{F}{\Omega}. I was able to show that \Sigma \propto (1+z)^{-4} Then the question asks whether knowing its value for known candles or yardsticks, is a good way to...
  14. S

    Error Propagation and Uncertainties in Parameters

    There is a quantity (W) that I would like to calculate that is, ultimately, a function of parameters that I can measure directly (a and b), W = W(a, b) But I cannot measure a and b perfectly, there will be some uncertainty in these measurements. This uncertainty will propagate into my...
  15. M

    How to tune the PID parameters using Fuzzy Logic?

    I previously used the Ziegler method to tune the parameters of my PID controller to control my robot's position. I then implemented fuzzy logic for self-tuning the parameters. I have two inputs to the fuzzy logic controller; one is the position error and the error rate. I know that my problem...
  16. C

    Existence of affine parameters of null geodesics

    We have a general spacetime interval ##ds^2 = g_{\mu \nu} dx^\mu dx^\nu##. One way to define an affine parameter is to define it to be any parameter ##u## which is related to the path length ##s## by ##u = as + b## for two constants ##a,b##. One can show that for the tangent vector ##u^\alpha =...
  17. S

    Creating an Exponential decay equation for given parameters

    So, I am wanting to vary a parameter in an equation with respect to time. Vary mass flow [ m(t) ] for an exponential decay to half its original value in around 60 seconds. I know the regular decay equation where: m(t)=m0*exp(-At) but I want the value to approach a steady state at 60 seconds...
  18. baby_1

    Finding Maxwell's Equation parameters problem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations http://esclab.tw/wiki/images/math/0/a/2/0a24f9d68ba8fd1a1a8e6c6b36a00be3.png The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Hello As you see the answers of 19 and 20 problems we should try to find K or B(wave number) in wave equation.both of equations are in air...
  19. J

    Relation Among Intensive Parameters

    Hello all, this is my first post! Hopefully I can gain some valuable insight. Homework Statement Find the relation among T, P and mu for the system with the given equation U = b S4/NV2 I let b equal the several constants stated in the problem. Homework Equations T=dU/dS P=-dU/dV mu=dU/dN The...
  20. L

    MHB How Do Probability Formulas for Bayes Theorem and Exponential Distribution Work?

    Hey guys, I don't understand how this question works... I don't understand the answers either. Could someone take me through this step-by-step? See attached image:
  21. Shackleford

    Finding Curve γ(t) on M with Given Parameters

    Eh. I'm not quite sure how to find the curve γ(t). I think that the problem is probably a bit easier being given the parametrization of M. I do know that the point P lies in the xy-plane.
  22. K

    Photonic Devices - Bowing Parameters of Ternary Semiconductor Alloy

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Shown in question. The Attempt at a Solution So I was given this question for homework and I'm really not sure where to start. I'm not looking for somebody to do my homework for me, just somebody to point me in the right direction. The...
  23. F

    MHB Find specific solution to IVP with two parameters

    x=c_1 cos(t)+c_2sin(t) is a family of solution to x''+x=0. Given x(\frac{\pi}{6})=\frac{1}{2} and x'(\frac{\pi}{6})=0 find a solution to the second order IVP consisting of this differential equation and the given intial conditions. The answer key has x=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}cos(t)+\frac{1}{4}sin(t)...
  24. P

    Bijection between parameters in integral formula

    Hello, To measure the atomic force with an AFM. One can use the frequency shift of a cantilever. This change of frequency is linked to the atomic force by what we called the Franz J. Giessibl formula in the community. z is the AFM tip-sample distance. frequency(z) is the change of...
  25. WannabeNewton

    Mathematica Solving ODEs with large parameters in Mathematica 9

    I have an ODE ##e^{2x}H(Hv'(x) + H'v' + Hv'') + (k^2 - 2e^{2x}H^2(1 + \frac{H'}{2H}))v = 0## where ##H(x)## is a known function that Mathematica has stored as an interpolation from a previous ODE and ##v(x)## is the unknown function to be solved for. ##k## is the adjustable parameter. Using...
  26. Q

    Is QM necessary for single observable parameters?

    Forgive the title if improper, the language of QM is not my native tongue. :) All scenarios where QM is invoked that I am used to involve parameters that do not commute, but I suppose I've never truly asked myself if QM is necessary to describe scenarios wherein you are not concerned with this...
  27. A

    Using Newton Raphson for Root Finding and Parameters' Estimation

    Goood Day, I have a cubic root equation. I use Newton-raphson for finding the roots. I want to do parameter estimation (tuning of the equation parameters to be able to give better prediction) using experiment data. Can anyone help me on how to do this? Thanks for your anticipated help...
  28. S

    Scoring an item from multiple parameters

    Hi, I would like to score an item. The item has around 10 parameter. Each parameter is depics how it reacts to each tests. Some parameters are just Yes or No. Few other parameters give the percentage of their performance in that particular test. And the remaining are scores. I want to...
  29. dkotschessaa

    MATLAB Matlab - Change parameters of equation while plot displayed

    First note that I am just learning Mat lab, and running a program created by someone else. I have a program which is displaying four differential equations on screen, all with various parameters assigned in the beginning. i.e. alpha=10; beta=0.04; gamma=0.020; etc. For...
  30. E

    13 parameters for agreement with observations

    I read recently that "...at present only GR theory predicts the required 13 parameters for agreement with critical observations that have been made." Is there a list of those somewhere?
  31. C

    What are Torque Parameters and Their Significance in Mechanical Engineering?

    Hi, I'm a third year electrical engineering student, but I am currently doing a mechanical engineering project. I would really appreciate any help as I'm a bit behind in my mechanical engineering knowledge. I understand that torque is just the turning force on an object, i.e the force...
  32. C

    Understanding Torque Parameters in Mechanical Engineering Papers

    Torque is just the turning force on an object, i.e the force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the force to the pivot. But when torque parameters are mentioned in mechanical engineering papers, what are they referring to? It's the plural "parameters" that's confusing me. Is it the...
  33. N

    MOSFET switching loss from datasheet parameters

    Greetings. I am not sure how to approximate a MOSFET's switching energy from datasheet parameters. I have stumbled upon a few ways, but in all cases I've found it is pretty rare to find a datasheet with all the correct parameters. Here are some ways I've found: 1) Eon and Eoff are listed...
  34. C

    Exploring Modern MRI Technology Parameters

    Hi all, I am wondering about the actual technological parameters of a modern MRI. In particular I mean sensitivity, i.e. the order of magnitude of the signals to be detected and the noise levels in practice. Can somebody recommend a good reference about the subject from an engineering...
  35. D

    Fitting a curve to data with error bars on curve parameters

    I have several data points with error bars, and these error bars are different sizes for each of the data points. I'd like to fit a model function to them which has non-linear parameters, and be able to get error bars on the model parameters, ie. if my model is something like f(x) = A +...
  36. C

    How to optimise something when multiple parameters change the output

    This dilemma seems to occurs all the time in so many different engineering problems. It seems impossible to optimise something with multiple parameters, for three reasons: There are too many possible combinations of these parameters to be able to simulate them all You optimise one...
  37. V

    What are the necessary parameters for designing an IC engine?

    hey i am engineering student i am interested in designing a ic engine. I want to know necessaries and parameters for designing a engine hey please provide some reference for it thank you:smile:
  38. vanceEE

    How can I use variation of parameters to solve this equation?

    Homework Statement $$y'' - 2y = x + 1$$ Homework Equations $$ y_{o} = Ae^{√(2)x} + Be^{-√(2)x} $$ $$ v_{1}'e^{√(2)x} + v_{2}'e^{-√(2)x}\equiv 0 $$ $$ √(2)v_{1}'e^{√(2)x}-√(2) - v_{2}'e^{-√(2)x} = x + 1 $$ The Attempt at a Solution $$ v_{2}' = \frac{x+1}{-2√(2)e^{-√(2)x}} $$ $$...
  39. Spinnor

    Adjust parameters of Standard Model so only photons, e-, e+ remain?

    Could you have a hypothetical universe with only photons, electrons, and positrons by adjusting the parameters of the Standard Model to eliminate all the "other" stuff? If so is String Theory flexible enough to model a hypothetical universe with only photons, electrons, positrons, and...
  40. polygamma

    MHB Integral of Exponential Fractions with Positive Parameters

    Show that for positive parameters $a$, $b$, and $c$, $$ \int_{0}^{\infty} \left( \frac{e^{-ax}-e^{-bx}}{x^{2}} + (a-b) \frac{e^{-cx}}{x} \ \right) \ dx = b-a + a \ln \left(\frac{a}{c} \right) - b \ln \left(\frac{b}{c} \right)$$
  41. N

    Sum of independent exponential distributions with different parameters

    Homework Statement As the title indicates. I'm given two independent exponential distributions with means of 10 and 20. I need to calculate the probability that the sum of a point from each of the distributions is greater than 30. Homework Equations X is Exp(10) Y is Exp(20) f(x) =...
  42. C

    Gradient of sphere level fxn with 2 parameters inside the parametric e

    Level function [L(x,y,z)] = (1/r^2) (x^2 + y^2 + z^2) = 1 Vector [N([x(h,g)], [y(h,g)], [z(g)])] = parametric equation to sphere Level function [L(x,y,z)] The parametric equations have 2 parameters, h and g [x(h,g)] = (r [sin (a + gv)]) [cos (b + hw)] [y(h,g)] = (r [sin (a + gv)]) [sin (b +...
  43. X

    How to calculate errors for fit parameters?

    I use the least squares method in a small C-programm to fit some data points. But don't know how to get the errors of the calculated parameter.
  44. J

    Optimization to find parameters?

    Hi guys, I'm a bit rusty on optimization, but i remember enough to be able to setup some problems that I am facing in my research, and would like to know how to go about solving such problems in general. The equations below may have more variables and be in slightly different forms at times...
  45. S

    Finding general solution to Euler equation via variation of parameters

    Homework Statement The problem is attached as TheProblemAndSolution.png, and everything is typewritten, so it should be easily legible (but you will likely need to zoom into read the text since the image's height is significantly larger than its width). Homework Equations Differential...
  46. S

    Optimization a program with 7 free parameters

    Hello. The problem is : I've got an expression to optimize with 7 free parameters. Ranges for each parameter are given. the simpliest way to optimize is to organize a program like for { for {for ...}} for each parameter and to get the result. Are there any other methods for solving the problem...
  47. tomwilliam2

    Friedmann's 1st equation and density parameters

    Homework Statement I'm trying to work out how the expression: $$H^2 = H_0^2 \left [ \Omega_0 \frac{a}{a_0} + 1 - \Omega_0\right]$$ can be deduced from Friedmann's first equation: $$H^2 = \frac{8\pi G \rho}{3} - \frac{kc^2}{R^2}$$ And I have a number of questions. Firstly, I've often seen the...
  48. R

    Exponential least-squares fitting and initial parameters

    Dear All, I would like to do an exponential function least-squares fitting, but having two or more exponents. For example the function looks like this: y (x) = A \exp (-x/a) + B \exp (-x/b) where A, a, B and b are the least-squares fitted parameters. My question is how to obtain the...
  49. E

    The convolution of two functions with different parameters

    Hello all, What is the result of this (linear) convolution: s(t)\star\delta(\tau-\tau_p) where s(t) is a continuous signal, δ is the Dirac delta function, and \tau_p is a constant. Thanks in advance
  50. H

    Variation of parameters- 2nd order linear equation

    Homework Statement solve 4y''-4y'+y=16et/2 Homework Equations v1= -∫ y2g/w v2= ∫ y1g/w The Attempt at a Solution http://imgur.com/gxXlfdH the correct answer is 2t^2 e^(t/2) instead of what i have though, i am not sure what i am doing wrong?
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