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Showing 31–60 of 1709 reference entries

Physics · MeasurementCaesium-133 defining frequency

ΔνCs denotes the unperturbed ground-state hyperfine transition frequency of caesium-133. Its numerical value is fixed exactly in SI units.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · InformationClassical propositions and connectives

Classical logic combines truth-valued propositions using defined connectives.

Definition
Mathematics & logicAxioms, deduction and mathematical proof

A mathematical proof derives a conclusion within stated assumptions and rules.

Method
Mathematics & logic · InformationSets, membership and basic operations

A set specifies membership without counting duplicate listings.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · InformationFunctions, domain and codomain

A function assigns exactly one output to each input in its domain.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · InformationMathematical induction

A base case and general successor step establish a predicate on all nonnegative integers.

Method
Mathematics & logic · MeasurementEuclidean right triangles and the Pythagorean theorem

In a Euclidean right triangle, squared leg lengths sum to the squared hypotenuse length.

Mathematical statement
Mathematics & logic · PhysicsSine, cosine and the unit circle

Sine and cosine are unit-circle coordinates whose squared values sum to one.

Mathematical statement
Mathematics & logic · InformationComplex numbers

A complex number has real coordinates a and b and an imaginary unit satisfying i²=−1.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · Information · PhysicsLinear maps and matrix representation

A linear map preserves linear combinations and has a matrix once bases are chosen.

Definition
Mathematics & logicLimit of a real function

A finite limit controls output error through sufficiently small input distance.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · PhysicsDerivative at a point

A derivative is a finite limit of local difference quotients.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · PhysicsDefinite integral and signed accumulation

A definite integral is the limiting signed accumulation of small contributions.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · PhysicsFundamental theorem of calculus

Continuity connects differentiation with integration.

Mathematical statement
Mathematics & logic · InformationProbability space and axioms

A probability assigns nonnegative, normalised, countably additive weights to events.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · InformationConditional probability and independence

Conditioning restricts attention to an event of positive probability.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · InformationExpected value of a discrete random variable

Expected value weights possible values by their probabilities.

Definition
Mathematics & logic · MeasurementConfidence interval for a population mean

A confidence level describes repeated-sampling coverage of an interval procedure.

Method
Information · Mathematics & logicBits and unsigned binary encoding

A bit has two possible states; a fixed-width unsigned binary word encodes an integer.

Definition
Information · Mathematics & logicShannon entropy of a discrete distribution

Shannon entropy measures uncertainty in a specified probability distribution.

Definition
InformationAlgorithm and decision procedure

An algorithm specifies effective steps; a decision procedure must terminate on every permitted input.

Method
Information · Mathematics & logicUndecidability of the halting problem

No total algorithm decides halting for every program and input in a general computation model.

Mathematical statement
Information · Mathematics & logicAsymptotic upper bounds and big O

Big O bounds eventual growth up to a fixed constant factor.

Definition
MeasurementSI base units

Seven named base units organize the SI quantity system.

Definition
MeasurementSI decimal prefixes

Prefix symbols specify decimal scale factors.

Definition
MeasurementMetrological traceability

Connect a result to a reference through documented calibrations.

Definition
Measurement · Mathematics & logicFirst-order uncertainty propagation

Combine input uncertainty through a measurement model.

Method
Measurement · Physics · Mathematics & logicDimensional consistency

Use dimensions to detect impossible quantity equations.

Method
Physics · Earth & cosmosNewtonian gravitation

An inverse-square force models attraction between point masses.

Model
PhysicsFrequency, wavelength and phase speed

Relate a periodic wave's spatial and temporal repetition.

Definition
MethodSource checked

First-order uncertainty propagation

MeasurementMathematics & logic

Combine input uncertainty through a measurement model.

Key knowledge

For y = f(x₁,…,xₙ), first-order propagation weights input variances and covariances by the model's sensitivity coefficients. Correlations must be retained when the input estimates are correlated.

Values and equations

u_c²(y) ≈ Σᵢ cᵢ²u²(xᵢ) + 2Σᵢ<ⱼ cᵢcⱼcov(xᵢ,xⱼ); cᵢ = ∂f/∂xᵢ

y
Output estimate obtained from the input estimates by the measurement model f unit of the output quantity
xᵢ
Estimate of input quantity i declared unit of input quantity i
xⱼ
Estimate of input quantity j declared unit of input quantity j
n
Positive integer number of input quantities 1
i,j
Input indices from 1 to n; each covariance pair in the second sum satisfies i<j 1
u_c(y)
Combined standard uncertainty of the output estimate unit of y
u(xᵢ)
Standard uncertainty of input estimate xᵢ unit of xᵢ
cᵢ
Sensitivity coefficient ∂f/∂xᵢ evaluated at the input estimates unit of y divided by unit of xᵢ
cov(xᵢ,xⱼ)
Estimated covariance of input estimates xᵢ and xⱼ unit of xᵢ multiplied by unit of xⱼ
f
Measurement-model function mapping the declared inputs to the output quantity output unit when evaluated on the declared input units

Conditions and scope

  • The first-order Taylor approximation must adequately represent f over the relevant uncertainty range.
  • Include significant corrections and influence quantities in the measurement model; independence must not be assumed without justification.
Sources · 2

References

Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.

  1. Technical Note 1297, Appendix A: Law of Propagation of UncertaintyBarry N. Taylor and Chris E. Kuyatt / NISTReference guidenist.govRead source
  2. Uncertainty Evaluation · NPL Report MS6M. G. Cox and P. M. Harris · NPLReference guide · PDFeprintspublications.npl.co.ukRead source

Evidence and review

NIST TN1297 Appendix A.1–A.3, equation A-3.

Input/output estimates, standard uncertainties, sensitivity coefficients and covariances have the stated dimensions; each first-order variance contribution has squared output units.

2026-10-10 · Independent Chemistry, Biology and Earth/Cosmos editor (AI editorial review). Source checks and independent AI editorial review of compact reference claims, equations, units, conditions and conceptual mappings. This is not human specialist certification, laboratory accreditation, whole-book verification, or a claim that all possible foundational knowledge is present.

Foundational review

2026-10-10 · Fresh primary-source inspection of the complete compact record, including every statement, equation, quantity and material condition, followed by independent AI editorial review. This check does not certify all linked lessons or every passage of every cited publication.

Sources from other places

Agreement within this scope

Adequate first-order linearization propagates input covariance through model sensitivities.

Correlated inputs require covariance terms; strongly nonlinear cases need further evaluation.

Entry detailsPermanent link to this entry ↗
Record identity
measurement-uncertainty-propagation
Revision
foundations-audit.1
Structured reference record
Essential core · first collection · University core expansion