Error in Algebraic Construction or Computational Translation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's difficulties in solving an equation and translating it into a computational format. The focus is on algebraic manipulation and potential errors in both the algebraic steps and the computational implementation, with an emphasis on checking results against the original equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their algebraic manipulation, particularly at the fourth line of their work.
  • Another participant suggests checking whether the program is using degrees or radians in the trigonometric function, indicating a potential source of error.
  • A third participant points out a specific error in the manipulation where a term changed from P-d to P+d, suggesting a mistake in distribution.
  • The same participant acknowledges the error in distribution and notes that correcting it may resolve subsequent issues in the calculations.
  • A later reply describes a method of troubleshooting by plugging in values to identify where discrepancies arise in the sequence of equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact nature of the errors, but there is agreement on the identification of a specific mistake in distribution. The discussion includes multiple viewpoints on potential sources of error, indicating that uncertainty remains regarding the overall correctness of the computations.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the participant's inexperience with long equations in a computational setting and the potential for errors in translating mathematical expressions into code. The discussion also highlights the importance of checking intermediate steps in algebraic manipulations.

WhiskeyHammer
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I have an equation that I've been trying to solve. I manipulated it until I had a=f(d) and then did by best to put it into a format the computer recognizes. However when I went back to check the results against the unsimplified version of the equation, they didn't work out as they should have; which tells me I screwed up manipulating the equation to a=f(d) or when I translated it from paper to program*. Im stumped.:confused:

If someone could take a look at my work for errors Id appreciate the second set of eyes.

Algebraic Manipulation:
Untitled.png

Im fairly certain of my work until the fourth line, but if you need to see how I got there let me know.

Computational Form:
a=((-2)(x^5)(G)(q))/(((8)((D-x)^3)(n))-((G)(x^4)(q)(((tan(12))(pi)(D-x))+x)))
This is where I feel like the problem might be. I am relatively inexperienced using long equations in a computer setting.

*the third possibility being that I messed up checking the equation, but it seemed more prudent to start here
 
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I can't see any problems with your algebra.

In your computation it looks like you have degrees in your trig function. Make sure your program is using degrees and not radians, or try converting to radians for the computation.
 
Early on, there's a part of the right of the form P-d. By the end it has become P+d. Look at the step between the second and third lines from the end.
 
haruspex said:
Early on, there's a part of the right of the form P-d. By the end it has become P+d. Look at the step between the second and third lines from the end.

Yup, that was it. I failed to reverse distribute properly.

That should fix all the math that comes after this equation, but it'll take me a couple of days to work my way back through it all again. Its always the fast simple math that messes me up over a long process.

Thanks guys!
 
WhiskeyHammer said:
I failed to reverse distribute properly.
Obvious, perhaps, but the way I track these things down is to plug in some values at the start and end of the manipulation and see if they agree. When I find a mismatch, I binary chop through the sequence of equations to find out where the value changed.
 

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