Constraint — Science definition
Defined in 6 courses:
- A limit that the proposed solution must satisfy. (Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems)
- A limit the solution must work within — budget, space, maintenance, competing uses; a design that violates one is not a solution. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- A limit that a design must satisfy. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
- Limit a design must meet. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
- A limit the design must satisfy. (Earth & Space Science)
- A limit a proposed design must satisfy. (Life Science: Biology)
Where it is taught
- Thermal Design: Compare, Improve & Retest — Energy, Heat & Thermal Design, Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems, Grade 6
- Designing & Evaluating a Habitat Solution — Ecological Evidence & Environmental Design, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Materials: Properties, Uses & Impacts — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Designing & Revising a Collision Protector — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Evaluating Environmental Solutions — Resources & Human Decisions, Earth & Space Science, Grade 9
- Biodiversity Evidence & Conservation Design — Ecosystems & Conservation Decisions, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
A constraint is a limit you must work within: a budget, an area of available land, a rule about what can be built, a requirement that a space stay usable.
Designing & Evaluating a Habitat Solution
Questions using constraint
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
A fits the limit. B performs better in the modeled temperature measure but is not feasible under that constraint unless it is redesigned.
Compare the scientific meaning and reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; human review is required.
Problem 2
- One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
- The largest performance result automatically wins regardless of constraints.
- A changed design can inherit the old design’s measured results without retesting.
- constraint: A limit that the proposed solution must satisfy.
Answer and explanation
constraint: A limit that the proposed solution must satisfy.
A limit that the proposed solution must satisfy. C has mean drop 6 °C and costs 3 tokens, meeting both stated conditions. D has mean 4 °C but exceeds the budget. Recommend C for this modeled problem, while noting its 5–7 °C spread and repeating to check consistency. A cheaper D variant would need its own fair test.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
A fits the limit. B performs better in the modeled temperature measure but is not feasible under that constraint unless it is redesigned.
Compare the scientific meaning and reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; human review is required.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
A criterion evaluates success; a constraint limits allowable options, such as a maximum budget or available area.
Taught alongside
- criterion
- evidence
- system boundary
- uncertainty
- prototype
- iteration
- cost effectiveness
- synthetic material
- trade-off
- model
- assumption
- stakeholder
- operational definition
- life-cycle perspective