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Equation 5 · Part 3 · The Metabolism of Civilization: Energy to 2100

Symbol c_0

c(z)=c0(zz0)−bc(z) = c_0 \left( \frac{z}{z_0} \right)^{-b}
c0c_0

What this part means

c0c_0 is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

Its job in the formula

c0c_0 is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

The passage around this formula

…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 relationship is stated as a stochastic first-difference equation in log-cost…

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A subscript is a label attached below a symbol. It often selects a time step, component, category, or member of a sequence.

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