- #1
Zacarias Nason
- 68
- 4
I've tried repeatedly to get clear, succinct definitions of the following terms over and over again, but invariably the definitions provided clash, and I'd like to put an end to that. The terms I am trying to define clearly are:
- Relation
- Definition (Mathematical definition)
- Function
- Law (Not the concept, but a mathematically expressed law like PV=nRT, if it can be treated as a separate entity from the idea of a scientific law itself)
- Equation
- Derivation
- Formula
I see some of these often used interchangeably (function, relation, equation, formula) unless it happens that someone is actively debating this question, and it confuses the hell out of me. I'm aware there are huge amounts of overlap among some of these, but still having that overlap strictly defined would be very helpful.
- Relation
- Definition (Mathematical definition)
- Function
- Law (Not the concept, but a mathematically expressed law like PV=nRT, if it can be treated as a separate entity from the idea of a scientific law itself)
- Equation
- Derivation
- Formula
I see some of these often used interchangeably (function, relation, equation, formula) unless it happens that someone is actively debating this question, and it confuses the hell out of me. I'm aware there are huge amounts of overlap among some of these, but still having that overlap strictly defined would be very helpful.