Elastic Collision and Simultaneous Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of elastic collisions and the use of simultaneous equations, particularly when dealing with equations that include powers greater than one, such as quadratic equations. The original poster seeks assistance with solving these equations using a TI-83 calculator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for solving simultaneous equations, including reducing them to a single unknown and factoring or using the quadratic formula for quadratic equations. There are questions about the capabilities of the TI-83 calculator in handling such problems.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various perspectives on whether to rely on calculators or to solve the equations by hand. Some participants suggest that the problem should be manageable without a computer algebra system, while others express uncertainty about the calculator's functionality for this specific task.

Contextual Notes

There is an implication that the problem may require specific numerical coefficients, and the discussion hints at the limitations of the TI-83 for solving equations with multiple independent variables.

dbusack1013
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Hello I need help with elastic collisions. I know you have to solve simultaneous equations, but for the problem I'm on, the equation has a power other than one like X2 etc. How do I do this on A TI-83 +? Thank you.
Doug​
 
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I don't know how to do it on a TI-83, but I know how to do it on paper. Work to reduce your equations to a single unknown. If that unknown happens to be quadratic, then factor it if possible - if not, use the quadratic formula.
 
Learn to do it by hand; don't use a calculator as a crutch, but as a tool to calculate swiftly stuff you know how to do yourself.
 
Your 83 can't do it with the default software on it. The best you'd be able to do is plot the curves and find the intersection, but for that you'd also need numbers for the coefficients, and if there's more than one independent variable, then you're SOL.

If you're expected to be able to do the problem without a computer algebra system, then it should be easy enough to do by hand that it's not worth going to a computer to do it for you. That is, if you learn how to do it beforehand.

--J
 

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