Simple rearranging of forumla help

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around rearranging various mathematical formulas to isolate specific variables, such as acceleration (a), resistance (R²), and gravitational acceleration (g). Participants seek assistance with algebraic manipulation and clarification of their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help to rearrange the formula s = ut - 1/2at² to solve for a, indicating their math skills are rusty.
  • Another participant suggests a different formula, s = (v*t) + (1/2)*a*t², and provides a rearrangement for a.
  • A request for a breakdown of the rearrangement process is made, indicating a need for clarity in the steps taken.
  • Several participants provide various methods for rearranging the original formula, with differing approaches and results, including isolating terms and applying algebraic operations.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the order of operations in a different equation involving R², prompting further clarification on parentheses and notation.
  • One participant attempts to clarify the rearrangement of the equation for R², providing detailed steps but also expressing frustration with the clarity of the original post.
  • Another participant seeks help rearranging T = 2π√(ℓ/g) to solve for g, detailing their steps and expressing uncertainty about their final rearrangement.
  • A later post questions the clarity and quality of contributions from another participant, suggesting a need for more thoughtful engagement in the discussion.
  • Finally, a participant asks for help rearranging s = ut + 1/2at² to find t, indicating potential confusion about the terms involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods for rearranging equations, leading to multiple competing views on how to approach the problems. The discussion remains unresolved with differing opinions on the correct methods and interpretations of the formulas.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the notation used in the equations, particularly regarding the placement of parentheses and the interpretation of superscripts versus subscripts. There are also indications of missing assumptions or steps in the algebraic manipulations presented.

dark_exodus
Hi

I need to rearrange the following formula to get a(Acceleration):

s = ut-1/2at

The last t is squared

Any help
My maths is a little rusty. :frown:
 
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The correct formula is
s=(v*t)+((1/2)*a*t*t)
Then
a=(s-(v*t))/((1/2)*t*t)
 
Could you give a break down of how you got that answer?
 
s= ut + at2/2

s - ut = at2/2

2(s - ut) = at2


a = 2(s - ut))/(t2)
 
It's pretty basic algebra:

You have the formula s = ut-1/2at2 and want to solve for a. To "solve for a" means to change it into an equation like
a= something.

You do that using two basic concepts: (1) For everything that is alread "done" to a, do the opposite (2) Anything you do to one side of the equation you must do to the other.

So:
s= ut- (1/2) at2. a is not "by itself" because it has been multiplied by -(1/2)t2 and has ut added to itself. The opposite of adding ut is subtracting ut: subtracting ut from both sides gives
s- ut= ut- (1/2) at2- ut = -(1/2) at2

Now the only problem is that a is multiplied by -(1/2) t2.
So, divide both sides of the equation by -(1/2) t2.

That gives (s- ut)/((-1/2)t2)= a so, after a little simplifying, that the value of a:

a= -2(s-ut)/t2.
 
please excuse my dear aunt sally , she dosn't know her order of operations.
 
rearranging equation

hiya, can u help me rearrange the following equation 2 get R² -

f = (1/2πC)*√(R¹+R²/R¹R²R³)

thanx
 
You're going to have to put in more parantheses in that expression in the radical... Do you mean:

[tex]R^1 + \frac{R^2}{R^1R^2R^3}[/tex]

or:

[tex]R^1 + \frac{R^2}{R^1}R^2R^3[/tex]

or perhaps:

[tex]\frac{R^1 + R^2}{R^1R^2R^3}[/tex]

?
 
Last edited:
f = 1/(2πC)*√(R¹+R²
------
R¹R²R³)

please try and help 2 rearrange 4 R² = equation

thanx
 
  • #10
That's even worse!

I'm going to assume that "f = (1/2πC)*√(R¹+R²/R¹R²R³)" means
[tex]f= (\frac{1}{2}\pi C)\sqrt{\frac{R_1+R_2}{R_1R_2R_3}}[/tex]

Notice that I have also changed to sub-scripts rather than super-scripts since I tend to confuse those with exponents (I am assuming they are NOT exponents!).

First thing you do is divide both sides by that number outside the square root to get
[tex]\frac{2f}{\pi C}= \sqrt{\frac{R_1+R_2}{R_1R_2R_3}}[/tex]

Now get rid of that square root by squaring both sides:
[tex]\frac{4f^2}{\pi^2C^2}= \frac{R_1+R_2}{R_1R_2R_3}[/tex]

Multiply on both sides by R1R2R3 so we don't have e that fraction to worry about:
[tex](R_1R_2R_3)\frac{4f^2}{\pi^2C^2}= R_1+ R_2[/tex]

Subtract R2 from both sides so that we have the quantity we are solving for on the left:
[tex](R_1R_2R_3)\frac{4f^2}{\pi^2C^2}- R_2= R_1[/tex]
and, since there is an "R2" in each term, factor that out:
[tex]R_2((R_1R_3)\frac{4f^2}{\pi^2C^2}- 1)= R_1[/tex]

Finally, isolate R2 by dividing both sides of the equation by everything on the left except R2:
[tex]R_2= \frac{R_1(\pi^2C^2-1)}{R_1R_3\pi^2C^2}[/tex]

You are welcome to go back to superscripts now if that was the way the problem was given.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
Worked it out thnx.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
What the hell? Mulliday, I think you should stop posting rubbish. I've seen several stupid posts by you! Please take time to sit down and think deeply and carefully about the following question: Why are you spamming this forum? Think very carefully about it, and try and make everything that comes to your mind into a focused point. Then, see whether you really think your points are sensible. That should help you.
 
  • #13
Is it possible someone could help me rearrange this equation to find [tex]g[/tex] please?

[tex]T = 2\pi \sqrt (\frac{\ell}g)[/tex]

Heres what I've done.

[tex]T = 2\pi \sqrt (\frac{\ell}g)[/tex]

Divide both sides by [tex]2\pi[/tex]

[tex]\frac{T}{2\pi} = \sqrt (\frac{\ell}g)[/tex]

Remove the root by squaring both sides

[tex]\frac{T^2}{4\pi^2} = \frac{\ell}g[/tex]

This is where I'm a bit confused. Does the rearrangement finish as :

[tex]\ell[/tex] divided by [tex](\frac{T^2}{4\pi^2})[/tex] = [tex]g[/tex] ?

I've got the figures for [tex]T[/tex], [tex]\ell[/tex] and [tex]g[/tex]. If I use that final rearrangement I can get closer to the answer for [tex]g[/tex] than any other, but my answer is slightly larger than the given answer.

I would appreciate any help at all, and I apologise for any mistakes in my coding. Its the first time I've ever used Tex.
 
  • #14
JoeCFC1310 said:
Hi I need help rearranging s=ut+1/2at2 to find t
any help would be appreciated

Do you mean t2 at the end (as in the earlier part of this thread?)

If not, simply isolate the ut term, then divide by u. Otherwise, perhaps take s from both sides and you have a quadratic in t, which you can solve using standard methods.
 

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