Hello there! I just learn the field variable and a confusion pops up. e.g. in on

Question

Hello there! I just learn the field variable and a confusion pops up. e.g. in one direction, the temperature field is T(x)=x+2, let us assume the unit of T is K and the unit of x is m.

So when x= e.g. 2m, we get the temperature at that position is 4K. The question is since x is a variable, why can not I substitute both the value(2) and the unit(m) into the function and

get T=2m+2? I know it is wrong, but I can not persuade myself because since we want the temperature value at the position x=2m, and the unit is included in the variable x, so why it is gone at the right hand side?

Explanation / Answer

T(x) = x +2

Here x is in m ( i suppose metres)

So, when you are asked to calculate temeprature at x = 2 m

Remember we never substitute units of variables such as m .We simply

substutute the number and solve it, units are used to identify the type of variable

So, T(x) = x +2

On RHS x is the input varaible with unit m

On RHS T(x) is the temp in K

So, just solve it : T(2) = 2+2 where x= 2m

T(2) = 4 K

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