How can I rearrange the Projectile Motion equation to solve for t?

AI Thread Summary
To rearrange the Projectile Motion equation (d = Vit + 1/2at²) to solve for time (t), the quadratic formula can be applied. The equation can be rewritten in the standard quadratic form ax² + bx + c = 0, where coefficients a, b, and c correspond to specific terms from the original equation. It's essential to ensure that the equation is set to zero before applying the formula. Identifying the variables correctly will simplify the process of solving for t. Utilizing the quadratic formula will provide the necessary solutions for time in projectile motion scenarios.
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I have a real big problem. My physics teacher has given an extra-credit assignment to my class to figure out. He said we can use whatever we want to figure it out. The problem was to rearrange the Projectile Motion equation (d = Vit + 1/2at2) to solve for t.

So I started out by asking my Math B2 teacher if she knew how to figure it out. After 15 minutes of work she got t = (d/t -vi) 2/a. But she didn't know how to get the second t out of the equation. We both ended up going over to the other math teacher. He got the same thing. Now the three of us are determined to figure out this answer. Can any physics wizard out there help us? All I want to know is how to rearrange the Projectile Motion equation (d = Vit + 1/2at2) to solve for t. For. Example F=ma, to rearrange the equation to sovle for m, it would be m=f/a. So I Want t= ? So can anyone help

-Puzzled Student
 
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Use the quadratic formula.
 
arildno said:
Use the quadratic formula.

Exactly. I'll give you an easy way to look at it so that the numbers don't get too messy.

A quadratic equation is in the form of: ax^2+bx+c=0

What is your a? your b? your c? And did you set everything equal to zero?
 
And, not the least: What is your "x"? ..:wink:
 
Ah, blast. Always forget something... good catch.
 
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