Amplitude

Pronunciation: /ˈæm plɪˌtud/ ?

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Amplitude is half the distance from the minimum to the maximum values of the range of a bounded periodic function.[1] In the simple periodic equation f(x)=a sin(bx)+c, the amplitude is |a|. Click on the blue point on the slider in manipulative 1 and drag it to change the figure. For sound waves, the amplitude is the magnitude of the air pressure. This is related to the loudness of the sound. The greater the amplitude of the sound wave, the louder we perceive the sound. For light waves, the amplitude is related to the brightness of the light.

References

1. amplitude. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/. WordNet. Princeton University. (Accessed: 2011-01-08). http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=amplitude&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=.
2. Bettinger, Alvin K. and Englund, John A.. Algebra and Trigonometry, Sec. 8.4 pg 149. International Textbook Company, January 1963. (Accessed: 2009-12-24). http://www.archive.org/stream/algebraandtrigon033520mbp#page/n166/mode/1up/search/amplitude.

More Information

• McAdams, David. Periodic function. allmathwords.org. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem.org. 2010-08-15. http://www.allmathwords.org/article.aspx?lang=en&id=Periodic Function.

Cite this article as:

Amplitude. 2009-12-24. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem.org. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/a/amplitude.html.

Translations

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Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem.org and are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.

Revision History

2009-12-24: Added "References" and more information (McAdams, David.)
2008-11-20: Initial version (McAdams, David.)