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solve for

English translation: two different meanings

15:33 Nov 24, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Science - Science (general) / scientific writing
English term or phrase: solve for
Frequency response analysis: A harmonic analysis *solving for* the steady-state response from a harmonic excitation. Typically a frequency sweep is performed, *solving for* many excitation frequencies at one time.

As far as I know "to solve an equation for x" means "to rearrange the equation so that x appears alone on the left-hand side". What does "solve for" mean in the example above? Would you recast or leave it as is? TIA
Nik-On/Off
Ukraine
Local time: 13:09
Selected answer:two different meanings
Explanation:
In your first example
*solving for* the steady-state response from a harmonic excitation
"solving for" means obtaining the steady state response
In your second example
*solving for* many excitation frequencies at one time
"Solving for" means using diffferent frequencies and obtaining the frequency responses from these frequencies (and not a value for the frequencies since these are the known values)
Selected response from:

Sabine Akabayov, PhD
Israel
Local time: 13:09
Grading comment
Thank you both!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +1obtain the value of
Maria Fokin
4two different meanings
Sabine Akabayov, PhD


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
obtain the value of


Explanation:
in an equation x=ab+c
to solve for c is to find its value.

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Note added at 6 mins (2009-11-24 15:39:24 GMT)
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it means the same thing...IMO
a sweep is performed obtaining the values of several excitation frequencies

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Note added at 21 mins (2009-11-24 15:54:23 GMT)
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it's fine as is.

ex.
Solve your differential equation in part (e) for the sinusoidal steady state response of...
http://www.csupomona.edu/~apfelzer/207/207-24.pdf

Maria Fokin
Italy
Local time: 12:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yasutomo Kanazawa
11 mins
  -> thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
two different meanings


Explanation:
In your first example
*solving for* the steady-state response from a harmonic excitation
"solving for" means obtaining the steady state response
In your second example
*solving for* many excitation frequencies at one time
"Solving for" means using diffferent frequencies and obtaining the frequency responses from these frequencies (and not a value for the frequencies since these are the known values)

Sabine Akabayov, PhD
Israel
Local time: 13:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you both!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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