Formula
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/* In mathematics */
{{dablink|For other senses of this word, see [[formula (disambiguation)]].}}
In [[mathematics]] and in the [[science]]s, a '''formula''' (plural: '''formulae''', '''formulæ''' or '''formulas''') is a concise way of expressing information symbolically (as in a mathematical or [[chemical formula]]), or a general relationship between quantities. One of many famous formulae is [[Albert Einstein]]'s
''[[E = mc²]]'' (see [[special relativity]]).
== In mathematics ==
In [[mathematics]], a formula is a key to solve an [[equation]] with variables. For example, the problem of determining the [[volume]] of a [[sphere]] is one that requires a significant amount of [[integral calculus]] to solve. However, having done this once, mathematicians can produce a formula to describe the volume in terms of some other parameter (the [[radius]] for example). This particular formula is:
: <math> V =\frac{4}{3} \pi r^3. </math>
Having determined this result, and having a sphere of which we know the radius we can quickly and easily determine the volume. Note that the quantities <math>V</math>, the volume, and <math>r</math> the radius are expressed as single letters. This convention, while less important in a relatively simple formula, means that mathematicians can more quickly manipulate larger and more complex formulae.
In general mathematical use there is no essential difference in meaning with the term "[[expression (mathematics)|expression]]", although the word "formula" tends to be reserved for an expression that "can stand on its own", that has a meaning outside of the immediate context in which it appears and a significance that can be grasped intuitively.
The majority of all mathematical study revolves around formulae in many different forms from [[quadratic equations]] to the equations of motion (mainly used in mechanical mathematics and [[physics]]). In a general context, formulae are applied to provide a mathematical solution for real world problems. Some may be general formulae designed to explain a phenomenon experienced everywhere - an example is force = mass × acceleration. It is a formula which applies anywhere in the universe. Other formulae may be specially created to solve a particular problem - for example using the equation of a [[sine curve]] to model the movement of the tides in a bay. In all cases however, formulae form the basis for all calculations.
== In computing ==
In [[computing]], a formula typically describes a calculation, such as addition, to be performed on two or more variables. A formula is often implicitly provided in the form of a [[computer]] [[instruction]] such as
: ''Total fruit'' = ''number of Apples'' + ''number of Oranges''.
In computer [[spreadsheet]] terminology, a formula is usually a [[text string]] containing [[cell reference]]s, e.g.
: '''=A1+A2'''
where both A1 and A2 describe "cells" (column A, row 1 or 2) within the spreadsheet. The result appears within the cell containing the formula itself (possibly A3, at end of values in column A). The '''=''' sign precedes the right hand side of the formula indicating the cell contains a formula rather than data. The left hand side of the formula is, by convention, omitted because the result is always stored in the cell itself and would be redundant.
== See also ==
{{wiktionary|formula}}
* [[Mathematical notation]]
* [[Formula (mathematical logic)]]
* [[Spreadsheet]]
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