Rearranging Formulas: Fairly simple but I'm very stuck

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexander8
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Formulas Stuck
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around rearranging the equation T = 2π√(l/g) x^2 to solve for g. Participants are exploring the implications of the additional x^2 term in the equation and how it affects the algebraic manipulation required to isolate g.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial steps taken to isolate g, including dividing by constants and squaring both sides. There is uncertainty about the presence of the x^2 term and its impact on the rearrangement process.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the correct sequence of operations, suggesting that dividing by x^2 before squaring may be necessary. There is acknowledgment of differing interpretations regarding the equation's structure, particularly concerning the x^2 term.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the equation typically appears without the x^2 term, raising questions about the specific problem setup and its requirements. There is a sense of confusion regarding the correct approach due to this additional term.

Alexander8
Messages
5
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement


Change the subject of the equation to (g)

Homework Equations


T = 2π√l/g x^2

86903828c3a4e638e3cbb27ab441fa67661bd89839ff26393fd3fbf0ab9e647a19972838.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution



In my attempt I've divided both sides by 2π for
T/2π = √l/g x^2

Then I decided to square both sides for

(T/2π)^2 = l/g x^2

Now I'm really not sure if what I've done so far is off or I'm on the right track?
I'm usually ok when it comes to this but for some reason this has caught me out
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
 

Attachments

  • 86903828c3a4e638e3cbb27ab441fa67661bd89839ff26393fd3fbf0ab9e647a19972838.jpg
    86903828c3a4e638e3cbb27ab441fa67661bd89839ff26393fd3fbf0ab9e647a19972838.jpg
    26.9 KB · Views: 741
Physics news on Phys.org
Alexander8 said:
Then I decided to square both sides for

(T/2π)^2 = l/g x^2
It's not time to square both sides yet (and you only squared the left side anyway).

Instead, divide both sides by x^2 so you get just the square root on the righthand side (RHS). Then it will be time to square both sides of the equation and continue doing the algebra to isolate g.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Alexander8
I don't know how the ## x^2 ## got in there=usually this equation reads ## T=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}} ##, but assuming the ## x^2 ## belongs there, it becomes an ## x^4 ## when you square both sides. ## \\ ## To solve for ## g ## , one helpful hint is you can multiply both sides of the equation by ## g ## . The ## g's ## will cancel on the right side, and it will be in the numerator on the left side.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Alexander8
berkeman said:
It's not time to square both sides yet (and you only squared the left side anyway).

Instead, divide both sides by x^2 so you get just the square root on the righthand side (RHS). Then it will be time to square both sides of the equation and continue doing the algebra to isolate g.

So my first step of dividing both sides by 2π to give

T/2π = √l/g x^2

is correct?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
Charles Link said:
I don't know how the ## x^2 ## got in there=usually this equation reads ## T=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}} ##, but assuming the ## x^2 ## belongs there, it becomes an ## x^4 ## when you square both sides. ## \\ ## To solve for ## g ## , one helpful hint is you can multiply both sides of the equation by ## g ## . The ## g's ## will cancel on the right side, and it will be in the numerator on the left side.

Yeah I found that equation without the x^2 asked on here previously, but for some reason the question we've been given includes the additional x^2
 
Sorry to message again, but I've got:

g = (4π2Lx4)/T2

Is that correct or am I way off?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman and Alexander8
Charles Link said:
@Alexander8 It's correct.
Ahhh panic over. Thank you very much for the help!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman and Charles Link

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K