In physics and mathematics, an ansatz (German word roughly corresponding to the English word attempt or approach) is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.
An ansatz is the establishment of:
- the starting equation(s),
- theorem(s) or
- value(s)
describing a mathematical or physical problem or solution. It can take into consideration boundary conditions. After an ansatz has been established (constituting nothing more than an assumption), the equations are solved for the general function of interest (constituting a confirmation of the assumption).
Read more about Ansatz: Examples