Question about homework manipulation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on preparing for a mechanics test by manipulating homework problems to enhance understanding. The professor indicated that the test will require students to solve problems in reverse, changing the known and unknown variables. To practice, one can take existing problems with three knowns and two unknowns and reconfigure them by making different variables unknown. It is emphasized that while changing the problems, the number of unknowns must remain the same to ensure solvability. This approach aims to improve problem-solving skills and readiness for the test.
HeartyBowl
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I'm taking mechanics and my professor said that the upcoming test will be very similar to the homework problems assigned. But he said we should know how to work the problems backwards. So in the homework he gives us a and b and we have to solve for c and he's saying that on the test he will change it up so that we have b and c but not a.

What i want to do is change the homework problems myself so I can get used to solving the problems in every way. How would I go about doing this?

To reverse a problem that has 3 knowns and 2 unknowns, would it be safe to say that if i started with the 2 uknowns, then i should be able to solve for the other three?
 
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You do it like he said - change the problem so a different part of it is unknown.
So if a problem involves variables a, b, and c - with one of them unknown, then rework the situation so a different one is unknown.
 
yes, you can't increase the number of unknowns, or you won't have enough information to solve it! :smile:
 

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