lagrangian
nounUK /ləˈɡrændʒiən/
US /ləˈɡrændʒiən/
A special math rule that helps scientists figure out how things move and use energy.
The physicist wrote down the Lagrangian to predict where the swinging pendulum would be.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A mathematical function that summarizes a system's kinetic and potential energy.
The Lagrangian of the particle included both its speed and its height.
3. A method in optimization for finding the best answer when there are limits.
They used a Lagrangian to solve the constrained optimization problem.
4. Relating to Joseph-Louis Lagrange or his mathematical work.
The Lagrangian point in space is a stable spot between two large bodies.