# Algebra homework help

1. Feb 4, 2007

### Odyssey

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
If I know $$Fs^2 = 6*10^{-8}$$, and $$\frac{F}{V^2} = 10^{-9}$$, how can I figure out $$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$? F, s, V are all real numbers.

2. Relevant equations
$$Fs^2 = 6*10^{-8}$$ (equation 1)
$$\frac{F}{V^2} = 10^{-9}$$, (equation 2)
$$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$
3. The attempt at a solution

I tried dividing equation 1 by equation 2 and vice versa...and mutiplied them...but the best thing I can get is $$\frac{F^2s^2}{V^2}$$...

Last edited: Feb 4, 2007
2. Feb 4, 2007

### cristo

Staff Emeritus

What do you want to find out? In your first line you say you want "Fs2/V2," whereas in the last line you say the best you can get is Fs2/V2. Is this not what you want?

3. Feb 4, 2007

### Odyssey

oh right, sorry. I had a typo...the best I got was $$\frac{F^2s^2}{V^2}$$. Lemme correct that.

4. Feb 4, 2007

### coalquay404

You have two equations. The first is

$$Fs^2 = 6\times 10^8$$

while the second is

$$\frac{F}{V^2} = 10^{-9}$$

Rearranging the second equation gives you

$$\frac{1}{V^2} = \frac{1}{F\times10^{-9}}$$

If you now multiply your first equation by this you obtain

$$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2} = \frac{6\times 10^8}{F\times10^{-9}} = \frac{6\times10^{17}}{F}$$

There's a certain redundancy here. Multiplying both sides by $F$ gives you

$$\left(\frac{Fs}{V}\right)^2 = 6\times 10^{17}$$

Is this not what you want?

Last edited: Feb 4, 2007
5. Feb 4, 2007

### Odyssey

Hmmm not quite :\ $$\left(\frac{Fs}{V}\right)^2 = 6\times 10^{17}$$ is the same as $$\frac{F^2s^2}{V^2}$$...which was what I got before...I wanna get $$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$...but I don't know if that's actually possible. Anyway, thanks a bunch for the help! :)

6. Feb 4, 2007

### Odyssey

Going to the root of the problem, I am actually working on my lab report. I need to determine the value of the permittivity of free space from my experiment...and from my results I plotted F with $$V^2$$ and I got a linear relationship between them with a slope of 10^-9...which is the number I had up there $$\frac{F}{V^2} = 10^{-9}$$. Then I plotted F with $$\frac{1}{s^2}$$ and I got another relationship...with a slope of $$Fs^2 = 6*10^{-8}$$.

My experiment is to deduce the permittivity of free space so I can eventually deduce the speed of light.

F is the attractive force between two parallel plates (capacitor). A is the area of the plate. s is the distance between the plates. V is the voltage between them. My formula I'm dealing with is $$F=\frac{e_{0}AV^2}{2s^2}$$

The lab requires me to find the "best" value of $$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$ ...which is where I was stuck at from the beginning. :\

From then on, once I get $$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$, find the permittivity of free space and eventually the speed of light.
Thanks again for the time and effort! :)

Last edited: Feb 4, 2007
7. Feb 5, 2007

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
You simply don't have enough information. If you could find $$\frac{Fs^2}{V^2}$$, since you already know $Fs^2$, you could divide the second by the first to find V then use $\frac{F}{V^2}$ to find F and finally solve for s. You can't expect to be able to solve 2 equations for 3 values.

8. Feb 5, 2007

### Odyssey

Hmmm...ok...I'll have to check my values again. Thanks!