Equation 3 · Part 2 · Comparing the Main Approaches to Scientific Instruments and Metrology

Symbol f

y = f(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_N)

f

What this part means

f is an input to the expression that computes the quantity on the left.

Its job in the formula

f is an input to the expression that computes the quantity on the left.

Full expressionSymbol fArticle meaning

The passage around this formula

…quoted without an accompanying uncertainty, the number cannot be compared against another laboratory’s figure, however precise the instrument sounds. The combined standard uncertainty $u_c(y)$ for a measured quantity y = f( $x_1$ , $x_2$ , $\ldots$ , $x_N$ ) that is a function of several independently uncertain inputs is, to first order,

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Learn the underlying idea

A function assigns an output to each allowed input. The expression f(x) means “apply f to x”.

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Sources cited in the surrounding passage

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