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A mathematical constant is a key number whose value is fixed by an unambiguous definition, often referred to by a symbol (e.g., an alphabet letter), or by mathematicians' names to facilitate using it across multiple mathematical problems. [1] For example, the constant π may be defined as the ratio of the length of a circle's circumference to ...
[1] [2] The terms mathematical constant or physical constant are sometimes used to distinguish this meaning. [3] A function whose value remains unchanged (i.e., a constant function). [4] Such a constant is commonly represented by a variable which does not depend on the main variable(s) in question.
For example, the atomic mass constant is exactly known when expressed using the dalton (its value is exactly 1 Da), but the kilogram is not exactly known when using these units, the opposite of when expressing the same quantities using the kilogram.
The constant π (pi) has a natural definition in Euclidean geometry as the ratio between the circumference and diameter of a circle. It may be found in many other places in mathematics: for example, the Gaussian integral, the complex roots of unity, and Cauchy distributions in probability. However, its ubiquity is not limited to pure mathematics.
Faraday constant: coulombs per mole (C⋅mol −1) frequency: hertz (Hz) function: friction: newton (N) electrical conductance: siemens (S) universal gravitational constant: newton meter squared per kilogram squared (N⋅m 2 /kg 2) shear modulus: pascal (Pa) or newton per square meter (N/m 2)
A physical constant, sometimes fundamental physical constant or universal constant, is a physical quantity that cannot be explained by a theory and therefore must be measured experimentally. It is distinct from a mathematical constant , which has a fixed numerical value, but does not directly involve any physical measurement.
Euler's constant (sometimes called the Euler–Mascheroni constant) is a mathematical constant, usually denoted by the lowercase Greek letter gamma (γ), defined as the limiting difference between the harmonic series and the natural logarithm, denoted here by log:
In mechanics, a constant of motion is a physical quantity conserved throughout the motion, imposing in effect a constraint on the motion. However, it is a mathematical constraint , the natural consequence of the equations of motion , rather than a physical constraint (which would require extra constraint forces ).