Scaling an Equation Name:

Date:

Scaling Equations
Why do we scale an equation?
Scaling makes an equation less confusing (with fewer parameters) and so
the equation can tell its story more clearly, we can infer properties more
easily.
Scaling allows us to solve many problems at once. By giving the
answers in terms of scaled variables, we dont have to choose values for
parameters to give the solution. In a sense, we solve for all values of the
parameters.
Scaling is essential to put a problem in a computer without picking values
for parameters.
Scaling can give insight to a system. For example, I can see clearly what
happens if I double a certain parameter.

How do we scale an equation?

First, I assume we start with a correct equation! Since we know that we
can add only like units, and that arguments of functions must be unitless,
we can infer the units on combinations of parameters and constants.
Using these simple arguments, find combinations of parameters and
constants that have the same units as your variables.
o Example: in the following equation v and t are our variables:

g kv + g "kt
v =" + 0 e
k k
From these simple rules we know that g/k has units of velocity and 1/k
has units of time.
Call these combinations
! your variable scales
o Example: vs=g/k; ts=1/k
Define scaled variables that equal your original variable divided by your
variable scale
o Example:
v t
v" t"
vs ts

D. Meredith /UNH/ October 2007

Scaling an Equation

Go back to your original equation plug in x=xbar*xs; also, replace

combinations of parameters with the appropriate variable scale and
simplify. Note that there are not unique choices of replacement replace
so that the most parameters disappear! You are now done.
o Example
g kv + g " kt
v=" + 0 e
k k
v = "vs + (v0 + vs ) e"t / ts
v = "vs + (v0 " ("vs ))e" t / ts
v = "vs + (#v)e" t / ts
v vs = "vs + (v0 vs + vs ) e"t ts / ts
v = "1+ ( v0 +1)e" t

!
What did we gain?
The fourth equation down tells the story most clearly: velocity
approaches the velocity scale (negative of terminal velocity in this case),
as the initial difference from terminal velocity exponentially.
The last equation is now also easy to plot with velocity in units of vs and
time in units of ts.
I know if k is doubled, the time scale is half and the terminal velocity is
half.
I know if g is doubled the time scale is unchanged and terminal velocity
doubles.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the choice of scale always unique? No, for example, in the simple
harmonic oscillator there are two time scales.
Then which do I choose? It may depend on which questions you ask.
There are no hard and fast rules.
Can I scale a differential equation before I solve it? Yes, and it can
give you insight even before you solve it or if you cannot solve it.

D. Meredith /UNH/ October 2007