Starttilstanden

Starttilstanden is a term used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages to refer to the starting or initial state of a system. It describes the set of conditions for the relevant variables at the initial time when a process begins. The concept is central to modelling and analysis across disciplines, since the future evolution of a system is typically determined by its starttilstand.

Etymology and usage: The word combines start- meaning beginning with tilstanden, the state or condition. It is used in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, biology, and economics to specify how a system is configured at time t0. Cognate forms exist in related languages, such as starttillstånd in Swedish and starttilstand in Danish.

Applications and examples: In physics and mathematics, starttilstanden corresponds to initial conditions, including values like position and velocity at t0, from which equations of motion are integrated. In computer science, it may refer to the program’s initial state or memory configuration at startup. In engineering and control theory, it denotes the baseline operating state from which a system responds to inputs. In biology or economics, it represents baseline measurements or parameter values before an intervention or policy change.

Determination and uncertainty: The starttilstanden is usually measured, inferred from data, or assumed for modelling purposes. Uncertainty in initial values can propagate through simulations and affect predictions, making sensitivity analyses and robust design important.

Relation to related concepts: Starttilstanden is closely related to initial conditions and the initial state, and it should be distinguished from boundary conditions, which specify constraints at spatial boundaries or other limits in a model. See also: initial condition, initial state, boundary condition, state vector, configuration.