The Buckingham-pi theorem says that given a dimensional quantity of the form 

$p = f(p_1, \cdots ,p_k,q_1 \cdots,  q_n )$

where the $p_i$'s dimensions form the fundamental set of units can be rescaled as

$\tilde{p} =  f(1,\cdots ,1,\tilde{q}_1, \cdots \tilde{q}_n)$

where $\tilde{p} , \tilde{q_i}$ are dimensionless.




The application of this to PDE's is throwing me off

For example in Navier-Stokes we that a solution $u = u(x,t, \nu, p_0, L, u_0(x))$, that is that the solution depends on position, time, viscosity, density, a length scale, and your initial velocity.

Clearly $L, u_0(x), p_0$ form a fundamental set of units for mass, length, and time.

This suggests that $u$ should be a function of 6-3 =3 variables , but in reality $u = u(x,t, u_0(x), Re)$, a function of four variables.

What am I doing wrong?  

The only thing I can think of is that most things I've read factor in some sort of "typical velocity scale", but this should be dependent on $u_0(x)$.  How can we definite any other velocity scale before we have solved a problem?

Is using an "infinite dimensional" parameter like $u_0(x)$ throwing this off?  If so why does u_o(x) being infinite dimensional cause a problem but not x or t?