calculus of variations
- noun
- /ˈkæl.kjʊ.ləs əv ˌvɛr.iˈeɪ.ʃənz/
- Specialized
:
cálculo de variaciones
- The calculus of variations is essential for optimizing problems in physics and engineering.
And to actually know this shape, this hanging chain shape, you need an area of maths called calculus of variations.
- And to actually know this shape, this hanging chain shape, you need an area of maths called calculus of variations.
Examples
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I was shocked to learn that the only ancient languages he could read were Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and that he knows almost nothing of mathematics beyond the elementary levels of the calculus of variations.
Fiction book (2000) -
So this is the calculus of variations and the people wonder when did it start?
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I think I've probably said everything I want to about the calculus of variations only.
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The Bernoulli is Jacob Bernoulli, who developed the calculus of variations.
Blog text (26) -
In advanced mathematics, the calculus of variations helps in determining the best paths for motion.
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Studying the calculus of variations allows mathematicians to understand how to minimize energy in systems.
Surface Forms
Morphology
A learner who knows 'calculus' (study of derivatives/integrals) and 'variation(s)' (changes) can infer this is a mathematical study concerning variations, so the basic idea is accessible. However, the precise technical sense (optimizing functionals, extrema of functions) is specialized and not fully predictable from the constituents at B1 level, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Calculus of variations comes from two parts: calculus (once a word for small stones used for counting, so 'calculation') and variations (meaning 'small changes'). The image is simple: you change a path or shape a little and watch how a total amount like distance or energy goes up or down, so the phrase now means the math study of finding the best or worst value when things change.
