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Equation 5 · Part 1 · The Metabolism of Civilization: Energy to 2100

Symbol c

c(z)=c0(zz0)−bc(z) = c_0 \left( \frac{z}{z_0} \right)^{-b}
cc

What this part means

the cost.

Its job in the formula

c is part of the quantity the equation computes from the expression on the right.

Where the article explains it

Written in its cleanest form, cost c at cumulative production (experience) z relates to a reference cost c0c_0 at reference experience z0z_0 by: c(z)=c0(zz0)−bc(z) = c_0 \left( \frac{z}{z_0} \right)^{-b}.

The passage around this formula

…already built, and Way et al. build their entire forecasting method on a stochastic version of it, fitted to more than fifty technologies’ historical cost and production records [ 1 ] . Written in its cleanest form, cost c at cumulative production (experience) z relates to a reference cost c0c_0 at reference experience z0z_0 by: c(z)=c0(zz0)−bc(z) = c_0 \left( \frac{z}{z_0} \right)^{-b}. where the experience exponent b sets the learning rate LR = 1 - 2^{-b} , the fractional cost drop for every doubling of z . Way et al.'s working version of the same…

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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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