Confused About Solving 3 Unknowns Using Given Formulas | Step-by-Step Guide

[dscot]

Homework Statement

Hello all,

I'm trying to solve for 3 unknowns x,y,z. We are given these formulas: http://screencast.com/t/Y8QobUXVB3S3

Homework Equations

Please see link provided above.

The Attempt at a Solution

I first rearrage for root(x) then I rearrange equation 2 for root(y), I then sub root(x) into equation 2. From this point I'm a little confused on how to proceed?

The problem I think is that in the formula for root(y) I still have root(z) unknown, root(z) has root(x) and also has a root (y), we know root(x) but it, itself contains root(y) and root(z) which is going in a weird loop that is making me really confused.

 

[VantagePoint72]

Assuming you're treating $\theta$ and the various a's, b's, c's and d's as knowns, this system has nine unknowns, not three: $x_1, x_2, x_3, y_1, y_2, y_3, z_1, z_2, z_3$.

 

[dscot]

Hi LastOneStanding,

I'm really sorry you are completely right, I wrote the equation wrong it should be: http://screencast.com/t/Y8QobUXVB3S3

Although I still have the problem getting my head around that logic I mentioned before.

Thanks!

 

[VantagePoint72]

Do you know to solve a linear system of equations using the elimination method? If not, see here for an explanation. I know this doesn't look linear because of the square roots, but it is linear if you just treat the square roots as the things you are trying to solve for instead of the things inside the square roots. Of course, once you've solved for each square root you can just square it to get the answer you really want.

 

[dscot]

Hi LastOneStanding,

Thanks very much that method does seem more efficient but I think we're supposed to do this is through substitution as that's the method our teacher has been using in class. Although I'm sure it will be a lot messier.

So what would be the best way to approach this using the method of substituting in the values?

Thanks!

 

[HallsofIvy]

If it is the square roots that bother you just replace them with, say, u= \sqrt{x}, v= \sqrt{y} and w= \sqrt{z}. Then you have three linear equations of the form
A_1= B_1u+ C_1v+ D_1w
A_2= B_2u+ C_2v+ D_2w
A_3= B_3u+ C_3v+ D_3w
where I have also replaced the coefficients by single letters- you can put the coefficients back in after solving.

Solve the first equation for u:
u= \frac{A_1- C_1v- D_1w}{B_1}

and replace u in the other two equations by that:
A_2= B_2\frac{A_1- C_1v- D_1w}{B_1}+ C_2v+ D_2w
A_3= B_3\frac{A_1- C_1v- D_1w}{B_1}+ C_3v+ D_3w

Solve either one of those for v and substitute into the other equation to get a single equation in w. Solve that equation for w, and substitute into the equation for v, the substitute both of those values into the original equation for u.

Finally, of course, square u, v, and w to get x, y, and z.

 

[dscot]

Thanks HallsOfIvy,

Does this look correct to you?

I mixed the terms up so now C if F and D is Z

New equation link: