The first factor of the Drake Equation (the average rate of star formation in our Galaxy) has dimension 1/time. The last factor (the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space) has dimension time. The other factors are unitless ratios.
So yes, the Drake Equation is dimensionally sound.
It is also a true equation. Not observed to be true, but reasoned to be true. The right hand side is the left hand side multiplied by some non-zero factors, and divided by the same factors, and rearranged (into the multiplication of a time rate, 5 ratios, and a length of time).
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about the numerical value of some of the factors — but the math is sound.
Therefor I wouldn’t put the Drake Equation in the same category “mathiness” that the original article is talking about.
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The first factor of the Drake Equation (the average rate of star formation in our Galaxy) has dimension 1/time. The last factor (the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space) has dimension time. The other factors are unitless ratios.
So yes, the Drake Equation is dimensionally sound.
It is also a true equation. Not observed to be true, but reasoned to be true. The right hand side is the left hand side multiplied by some non-zero factors, and divided by the same factors, and rearranged (into the multiplication of a time rate, 5 ratios, and a length of time).
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about the numerical value of some of the factors — but the math is sound.
Therefor I wouldn’t put the Drake Equation in the same category “mathiness” that the original article is talking about.