Introduction

Extra (ancillary) information in math from the physics

To illustrate the way we use extra information from physics above and beyond the information represented in the mathematics, consider the following example.

Given the following function, where K is a known constant,

A(x, y) = K(x2 + y2)

what is

A(r, θ) = ?

Write down what you think the answer is before looking at my answer.

This problem was shown to me by Corinne Manogue of Oregon State University.

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RETURNS

University of MarylandPhysics DepartmentPhysics 374 Home

This page prepared by

Edward F. Redish
Department of Physics
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: (301) 405-6120
Email: redish@umd.edu

Last revision 5 September, 2005.