Issue with math in physics problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a specific physics problem involving the simplification of mathematical expressions related to rotational dynamics. Participants are attempting to clarify the transition between two expressions in a solutions manual and are focused on understanding the mathematical steps involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how the solutions manual simplifies the expression from ωiz([(2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2) + (2/3mdebrisRE2)]-1) to ωiz([mE/(mE + (5/3mdebris))]-1).
  • Another participant points out that the expressions presented are ambiguous and clarifies that (2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2) simplifies to 1.
  • A participant asserts that the numerator is indeed ##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2## and questions how (2/3mdebrisRE2) simplifies to (5/3mdebris), suggesting a potential error in the manual.
  • Another reply proposes that by adding parentheses to the original expression, the ##R_E^2## terms cancel, allowing for multiplication by ##\frac{5}{2}## to achieve the simplification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the simplification process and the interpretation of the expressions. There is no consensus on whether the solutions manual contains an error or how the simplification should be correctly performed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights ambiguities in the notation used for the expressions, which may affect the interpretation of the mathematical steps involved. There are unresolved aspects regarding the assumptions made in the simplification process.

fightboy
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Ok so for the problem I'm mainly having trouble with setting up one of the equations.
The solutions manual jumped from:
ωiz([(2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2) + (2/3mdebrisRE2)]-1)
to:
ωiz([mE/(mE + (5/3mdebris))]-1)

I placed the brackets to clearly separate the fraction from the -1. Anyways I'm having trouble seeing how the math is done to get from the first equation to the second equation, how was it simplified? If anyone is confused on how i wrote the problem please just ask! Thanks!
 
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fightboy said:
Ok so for the problem I'm mainly having trouble with setting up one of the equations.
The solutions manual jumped from:
ωiz([(2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2) + (2/3mdebrisRE2)]-1)
to:
ωiz([mE/(mE + (5/3mdebris))]-1)

I placed the brackets to clearly separate the fraction from the -1. Anyways I'm having trouble seeing how the math is done to get from the first equation to the second equation
These aren't equations - they are expressions.

Inside the parentheses you have (2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2), which is just 1.

The fractions you wrote are ambiguous, which doesn't change what I wrote above.
Is the numerator ##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2##
or is it ##\frac{2}{5m_ER_E^2}##?
fightboy said:
, how was it simplified? If anyone is confused on how i wrote the problem please just ask! Thanks!
 
Mark44 said:
These aren't equations - they are expressions.

Inside the parentheses you have (2/5mERE2)/(2/5mERE2), which is just 1.

The fractions you wrote are ambiguous, which doesn't change what I wrote above.
Is the numerator ##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2##
or is it ##\frac{2}{5m_ER_E^2}##?
The numerator is ##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2##. I get that ##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2##/##\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2## is equal to 1, I am mainly confused on how (2/3mdebrisRE2) became (5/3mdebris) or if the manual made a mistake.
 
If you put an extra set of parentheses in the original expression, the ##R_E^2##s cancel and you can multiply everything by ##\frac{5}{2}## to get $$\frac{\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2}{\frac{2}{5}m_ER_E^2+\frac{2}{3}m_{\text{debris}} R_E^2}=\frac{m_E}{m_E+\frac{5}{3}m_{\text{debris}}}$$
 
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