Author:
Joseph E. Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of South Carolina, Columbia SC, 29208, United States
Keyword(s):
Units, Dimensional Analysis, Metadata, Numerical Uncertainty &
Accuracy, Metanumber, Error Management, Data Tags, Numerical Information
Standards, Si & Metric Units, Big Data.
Abstract:
Numerical measurements have little meaning without the associated
units of measurement, level of accuracy, and defining metadata tags. Yet these
three associated items are scattered in rows, columns, references, the title, and
other positions in data tables separated from the values themselves and usually
immersed in unstructured text. Thus unambiguous electronic readability is not
possible but requires human preformatting to link these three data components
to the value for computer processing. This paper proposes a tight linkage among
numerical values, units, accuracy, and meaning as a string expression that
provides a numerical standard which we call a “metanumber” along with a set
of requirements for this structure. We require that this metanumber string object
be instantly readable by both humans and computers. Our work then develops
the requisite algorithms for automated computer processing of the metanumber
expressions resulting in a new metanumber where (a) all units and dime
nsional
analysis are automatically processed, (b) numerical accuracy of results are
computed, and (c) unlimited metadata tags and structures provide a trace of all
historical operations with component meaning providing both the exact
evolutionary path of each computed number, and a unique name (as an internet
path) for every single measured v4alue. We also propose a flexible table-like
structure for archiving all numerical data as metanumbers that allows the
automated sharing of data among users. This structure can serve as a foundation
for high –speed data exchange removing the costs, errors, and time delays
required with human preprocessing and thus serving as a critical component in
Big Data processing and as a foundation for advanced artificial intelligence.
Other features are explored including an optional proposed expansion of the
base units for the SI (metric) system as well as user defined units that are
natural for users with commercial, industrial, medical, and scientific problems.
These components offer a transformational increase in computational power in
every domain of inquiry.
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