Renormalization
In theoretical physics, renormalization is used to treat infinities.
Explanation
Renormalization is used to treat infinities arising in calculated quantities by altering values of quantities to compensate for effects of their self-interactions.
Example 1
Under certain circumstances you can calculate the value of the divergent series ∑ = 1 − 4 + 16 − 64 + 256 − ··· as
1∑ = 1 − 4 + 16 − 64 + 256 − ··· 4∑ = 4 − 16 + 64 − 256 + ··· + 5∑ = 1
In the series are only integers, nevertheless the sum is a fraction
∑ = 1 − 4 + 16 − 64 + 256 − ··· = 1 5
HistoryThe Swiss mathematician Ernst Stueckelberg anticipated the idea of renormalization in quantum field theory in 1953. |