[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]

Re: Ansatz?

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg101067] Re: [mg101045] Ansatz?
• From: János Löbb <janos.lobb at yale.edu>
• Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:05:12 -0400 (EDT)
• References: <200906220823.EAA09284@smc.vnet.net>

On Jun 22, 2009, at 4:23 AM, AES wrote:

> Wolfram MathWorld says:
>
>   An ansatz is an assumed form for a mathematical statement
>   that is not based on any underlying theory or principle.
>
>   SEE ALSO: Conjecture, Hypothesis, Principle, Proposition
>
> Somewhere I've picked up the idea that "ansatz" can also be used to
> indicate the "form" or the "approach" -- more specifically, something
> like the choice of coordinates and variables and equations -- the
> "geometry and notation" so to speak -- in which one sets up a 
> problem or
> a calculation.
>
> The "underlying theory or principles" in my interpretation can be
> perfectly clear, and no "Conjectures" or "Hypotheses" need be 
> involved.
> One is simply setting up the calculation using this ansatz, in order 
> to
> calculate certain consequences or numerical results (a calculation 
> which
> one, of course, carries out using Mathematica).
>
> Is my interpretation of this term off the mark?  (Wikipedia's
> explanation of the term seems to me considerably closer to my
> understanding than to Wolfram's definition.)

Although I forgot almost all German I ever learned, it still looks to 
me that "Ansatz" == "Beginning" :)

So looks to me an "ansatz" is created when a mathematician, or any 
other human being, hits his/her stomach and belches out something 
formulated into words.

J=E1nos=

• References:
  • Ansatz?
    • From: AES <siegman@stanford.edu>