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Dimensional Analysis: Some Applications In Human Geography
Author(s) -
Haynes Robin M.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
geographical analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.773
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1538-4632
pISSN - 0016-7363
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-4632.1975.tb01023.x
Subject(s) - dimensionless quantity , pareto principle , exponential function , power function , econometrics , function (biology) , mathematics , statistical physics , computer science , statistics , mathematical analysis , physics , evolutionary biology , mechanics , biology
Dimensional analysis is introduced, and applications of it to human geography are considered. Primary and secondary dimensions are selected; techniques of dimensional analysis are used to derive and check a functional relationship drawn from central place theory, to test the dimensional implications of a power function (the Pareto gravity model), to disaggregate a theoretical parameter (the exponential distance decay coefficient), and to simplify a complex system of variables in agricultural location theory to a system of dimensionless products. Difficulties inherent in the application of dimensional analysis to human geography are discussed.