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Equation 5 · What the Machine Breakers Actually Wanted

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Δln⁡L  =  η Δln⁡Y⏟productivity  −  ∫II+ΔIs(x) dx⏟displacement  +  ∫NN+ΔNs(x) dx⏟reinstatement\Delta \ln L \;=\; \underbrace{\eta \, \Delta \ln Y}_{\text{productivity}} \;-\; \underbrace{\int_{I}^{I+\Delta I} s(x)\,dx}_{\text{displacement}} \;+\; \underbrace{\int_{N}^{N+\Delta N} s(x)\,dx}_{\text{reinstatement}}

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This equation states an equality: the expressions on both sides have the same value under the article’s assumptions. Read the equation part by part below; each part has a contextual explanation and a link to its mathematical background.

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Δ\Delta

Symbol Δ

Δ appears in the bound of this integral. The bound states where the repeated operation starts, ends, or which values it includes.

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LL

Symbol L

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

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η\eta

Symbol eta

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

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YY

Symbol Y

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

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II

Symbol I

the automation frontier below which capital performs the task.

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ΔI\Delta I

Symbol Δ I

Δ I appears in the bound of this integral. The bound states where the repeated operation starts, ends, or which values it includes.

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ss

Symbol s

the value-added share of task x.

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xx

Symbol x

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

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dd

Symbol d

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

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NN

Symbol N

the upper edge of the task space where new tasks appear, and η\eta scales the induced demand from higher output.

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ΔN\Delta N

Symbol Δ N

Δ N appears in the bound of this integral. The bound states where the repeated operation starts, ends, or which values it includes.

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=

=

The expressions on both sides represent the same quantity under the stated assumptions.

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addition

addition

Add the term after the plus sign to the term or group before it.

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change

change

Capital delta attached to a quantity marks a difference between two values of that quantity; the article’s sign convention determines the order.

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subscript

subscript

The lower label selects a particular version, component, or indexed member of the quantity. For example, x₀ and xₜ can be values at different positions.

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superscript

superscript

A raised number can be a power. When it is a label or bound, it selects a case or the upper limit of a sum; the formula’s structure distinguishes these uses.

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II

Starting index or lower bound: I

This label says where the repeated addition, multiplication, or accumulation starts. Read its value or condition together with the article’s description of the index.

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I+ΔII+\Delta I

Ending index or upper bound: I+Δ I

This label says where the repeated addition, multiplication, or accumulation stops. It sets the last term or end of the range.

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NN

Starting index or lower bound: N

This label says where the repeated addition, multiplication, or accumulation starts. Read its value or condition together with the article’s description of the index.

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N+ΔNN+\Delta N

Ending index or upper bound: N+Δ N

This label says where the repeated addition, multiplication, or accumulation stops. It sets the last term or end of the range.

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How to interpret it

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What the article says around this equation

Written schematically, the change in labour demand decomposes as Δln⁡L  =  η Δln⁡Y⏟productivity  −  ∫II+ΔIs(x) dx⏟displacement  +  ∫NN+ΔNs(x) dx⏟reinstatement\Delta \ln L \;=\; \underbrace{\eta \, \Delta \ln Y}_{\text{productivity}} \;-\; \underbrace{\int_{I}^{I+\Delta I} s(x)\,dx}_{\text{displacement}} \;+\; \underbrace{\int_{N}^{N+\Delta N} s(x)\,dx}_{\text{reinstatement}}. where tasks are indexed by x , s(x) is the value-added share of task x , I is the automation frontier below which capital performs the task, N is the upper edge of the task space where new tasks appear, and η\eta scales the induced demand from higher output. The expression is illustrative of the structure rather than a reproduction of any published estimating equation; the substantive claim it encodes is that the sign of Δ\Delta ln⁡\ln L is not determined by the size of Δ\Delta I alone.

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Sources cited in the article section

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