Subject: What does 'proxied by' mean in mathematical contexts?
Hey everyone,
I keep coming across the term "proxied by" in some math papers, but I’m not entirely sure about the meaning of "proxied by" in math.
Is it like using one thing to represent another? Or is there more to it?
Would appreciate if someone could break it down in simple terms.
Thanks!
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*PS: Sorry if this is a dumb question, still getting used to the jargon.*
Hey! Good question—I had the same confusion when I first saw "proxied by" in math papers.
Basically, it means using one thing as a stand-in or approximation for another when the original is hard to measure or work with directly.
For example, in stats, you might use income level to proxy for wealth if wealth data is missing.
Not a dumb question at all—jargon can be tricky!
Yo, "proxied by" is just fancy talk for "replaced by something similar."
Like if you can't measure X directly, you use Y as a proxy because Y is easier to get and kinda related.
Check out this stats glossary, it helped me: [link to stats glossary].
Hope that clears it up!
In math, the meaning of "proxied by" is all about substitution.
Think of it like using a placeholder when the real thing is too complex or unavailable.
For instance, in optimization, a proxy function might simplify a harder problem.
If you're into ML, this concept pops up a lot—maybe skim some intro papers on proxy variables.
Not dumb at all! "Proxied by" is just math-speak for "represented by."
It’s like using a shadow to guess the shape of an object—close enough for the purpose.
In econ, GDP might proxy for standard of living, even though it’s not perfect.
Here’s a short vid explaining it: [link to video].
"Proxied by" is when you use a simpler or more available thing to estimate another.
Kinda like using your height to guess your shoe size—not exact, but often works.
In regression, you’ll see this a lot with proxy variables.
Try searching for "proxy variables in statistics" for deeper dives.
It’s basically a workaround! When the real thing is messy, you proxy it with something cleaner.
Like using test scores to proxy for intelligence—flawed, but useful.
If you’re reading papers, look for how they justify their proxies. Sometimes it’s shaky lol.
Wow, thanks everyone! This makes way more sense now.
I didn’t realize it was such a common trick in stats and optimization.
Gonna check out those links and videos—especially the stats glossary.
Follow-up: How do you know if a proxy is *good enough*? Like, what makes a bad proxy vs. a decent one?
Short answer: It’s a stand-in.
Long answer: The meaning of "proxied by" in math is about using a related, easier-to-measure thing instead of the ideal one.
Example: Using education level to proxy for job skills in a model.
For tools, Wolfram Alpha’s math docs sometimes explain these terms well.
