The smell of representations

The graph of the equation where y equals x squared forms a curve known as a parabola. This curve acts as a boundary in the coordinate plane, dividing it into distinct regions based on the relative position of points.When the equality sign in the equation is replaced with an inequality—such as greater than, less than, greater than or equal to, or less than or equal to—the graphical representation changes from a single curve into a broader shaded area that signifies the set of all...

The frequency-domain technique, commonly used in analyzing and designing feedback control systems, is effective for linear, time-invariant systems. However, it falls short when dealing with nonlinear, time-varying, and multiple-input multiple-output systems. The time-domain or state-space approach addresses these limitations by utilizing state variables to construct simultaneous, first-order differential equations, known as state equations, for an nth-order system.
Consider an RLC circuit, a...

Two key frameworks are employed to analyze mass, energy, and momentum transfer: the control volume approach and the system approach. These frameworks offer different perspectives, depending on whether the focus is on a specific region in space (control volume approach) or a defined mass of fluid (system approach).
The control volume approach considers a stationary region in space through which fluid flows. This region is bounded by a control surface.  For instance, in the case of water...

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...

Complex numbers, represented in Cartesian coordinates, can also be visualized as vectors. These vectors can be expressed in polar form, emphasizing their magnitude and angle. When a complex number is input into a function, the output is another complex number, highlighting the function's zero point from which the vector representation can originate.
Consider a function defined as the product of the complex factors in the numerator divided by the product of the complex factors in the...

Analyzing two sinusoidal voltages with equal amplitude and period but different phases on an oscilloscope, an instrument used to display and analyze waveforms, involves a three-step process.
The first step is measuring the peak-to-peak value, which is twice the amplitude of the sinusoid. This provides information about the maximum voltage swing of the waveform.
Secondly, the period and angular frequency are determined. The period is the time taken for one complete cycle of the waveform, while...