1. Mar 21, 2009

### Stratosphere

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
86300=$$\frac{86400}{1/\sqrt{1-(v/299000000){2}}}$$

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
When I square each side I get an astronomicly high number.

2. Mar 22, 2009

### lanedance

hi stratosphere

have you tried dividing both sides by 86400 first?

3. Mar 22, 2009

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Or, better, dividing both sides by 86300 and then multiplying both sides by that square root.

And, is that
$$\sqrt{1- (v/299000000)2}$$
supposed to be
$$\sqrt{1- (v/299000000)^2}$$?

4. Mar 22, 2009

### Stratosphere

Yah I meant to make it an exponent.

5. Mar 23, 2009

### Mentallic

If you're attempting to use the relativity equations (I'm guessing to find length contraction?), rather than using metres/second for the speed of light and resulting in astronomically high numbers, or better yet, converting the speed of light into micrometres/year; why not just leave it as c, and after solving for c, substitute whatever unit of measurement you want in place for it.