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authenticgeek
May13-09, 11:01 PM
Here's a statement that I'm supposed to solve:

(\Deltax')2 = (\Deltax)2 - c2(\Deltat)2

And the accompanying text: "Show that (the equation above) is the same for all reference frames in special relativity"

I consider myself somewhat decent with your basic special relativity calculations but I'm having trouble starting this one. I'm not interested in an answer as much as a gentle nudge in the correct direction.

What is this question asking for, mathematically? I don't even know where I should be ending up...

Dick
May13-09, 11:09 PM
It's asking you to assume (x',t') and (x,t) are related by a Lorentz transformation and show that (delta t')^2*c^2-(delta x')^2=(delta t)^2*c^2-(delta x)^2.