Before generation
Use when interpreting candidate terms in a physical equation, comparing derived quantities, or checking a learner dimensional-consistency judgment. This version focuses on mass, length, and time. It does not convert measurement units, evaluate coefficients, prove an equation correct, include temperature or electrical dimensions, determine vector direction, or replace a derivation from definitions.
Worked example
The example declares force as M to the first, L to the first, and T to the negative second. Mass times acceleration, a spring term, and energy divided by distance match that target. Mass times velocity has T to the negative first and does not. Two learner claims are correct and two are intentionally contradicted by the exponent evidence.
Formula or methodology
Represent each term by the ordered exponent vector [M, L, T]. Multiplication adds corresponding exponents, division subtracts denominator exponents, and a power multiplies every exponent by that power. A term is dimensionally consistent with the target only when all three exponents match exactly. The entered numerical magnitude does not affect that comparison.
How to interpret the result
A supported claim means the learner yes-or-no decision agrees with the entered exponent vectors. A dimension conflict identifies which physical dimension must be rederived. Dimensional agreement remains a necessary check rather than proof: two incorrect expressions can share dimensions, and a missing dimensionless constant, sign, vector direction, or boundary condition can still change the model.
Common mistakes
Do not compare unit abbreviations without reducing them, add unlike dimensions because their numbers match, forget that acceleration contains time squared, treat angles as length, or use dimensional agreement to choose a numeric coefficient. Keep base-unit conversions, significant figures, vector components, and the actual governing model as separate checks.