Dimensional analysis - new technical article

In converting quantities from one unit to another, we may know the applicable “conversion factor” but be uncertain as whether to multiply or divide. A similar uncertainty often arises in other basic mathematical calculations, such as those we encounter in optical or photometric contexts. A technique called “dimensional analysis” can give foolproof guidance in these cases, and can even help us develop the formula needed to determine a certain quantity.

I have just released to my technical information site, The Pumpkin, a new technical article, "Dimensional Analysis—A Tool for Guiding Mathematical Calculations", available here:

http://doug.kerr.home.att.net/pumpkin/index.htm#Dimensional_Analysis

This article describes the principles involved in the technique and illustrates its practical application.

Dimensional analysis is a technique I learned in engineering school (years ago) to ensure that "back of the envelope" calculations were "in the ballpark"

It's a very useful technique for anyone doing calculations with mixed units of measure.

We called it "making sure the units cancelled".

Hi, Charles,

Charles L Webster said:

Dimensional analysis is a technique I learned in engineering school (years ago) to ensure that "back of the envelope" calculations were "in the ballpark"

It's a very useful technique for anyone doing calculations with mixed units of measure.

Click to expand...

Indeed.

I taught it to each of my daughters as they got to about the middle school age. They found it especially helpful for seeing if they were on the right track when setting up a the solution for a "word problem".

Best regards,

Doug