Solving for Y in Degrees: Step-by-Step Guide and Examples

[joe215]

Homework Statement

x=degrees, not radians

0=[(g)(r)(sinX)-(g)(r)(y)(cosX)] / (cosx)-y(sinx)

how do I solve for y?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[gabbagabbahey]

a/b=0 if a=0 no? So set the numerator equal to zero. It should be straightforward from there.

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

To solve for y, we first need to isolate it on one side of the equation. We can do this by multiplying both sides of the equation by (cosx)-y(sinx). This will cancel out the denominator on the right side, leaving us with 0 = (g)(r)(sinx) - (g)(r)(y)(cosx). We can then rearrange the terms to group the y variable on one side: (g)(r)(y)(cosx) = (g)(r)(sinx).

Next, we can divide both sides by (g)(r)(cosx) to isolate y: y = (sinx) / (cosx). This can be simplified to y = tanx.

Therefore, to solve for y, we need to take the tangent of the angle given in degrees. Remember to convert the angle to radians if necessary.

Example:

Given x = 30 degrees, g = 9.8 m/s^2, and r = 5 m, we can solve for y by plugging in the values:

y = tan(30) = 0.577

Therefore, y = 0.577 m.

In summary, to solve for y in degrees, we need to use the tangent function and plug in the angle in degrees. Remember to convert to radians if needed.