Transforming Simultaneous Equations into Simplified Form for Easy Solving

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mconn86
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Simultaneous equations
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around transforming two simultaneous equations into a specific simplified form for easier solving. The equations involve variables A, B, h, j, k, m, and their relationships are explored through algebraic manipulation. The focus is primarily on the mathematical reasoning involved in achieving the desired forms of A and B.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two equations, A^2 - B^2 = hj(k^2) and 2AB = mjk, and seeks to transform them into specific forms for A and B.
  • Another participant suggests solving one equation for A or B and substituting it into the other equation, proposing that if the equations are equivalent, this method should work.
  • The original poster indicates that they have already attempted this substitution but are struggling with achieving the required form.
  • A further participant provides a detailed algebraic manipulation, starting from the equations and deriving a quadratic equation in terms of A^2, leading to a solution involving assumptions about the positivity of variables.
  • This participant also discusses the process of simplifying the expression for A and emphasizes the importance of taking the positive root in their calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to transform the equations, and multiple methods are proposed. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective way to achieve the desired forms for A and B.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the positivity of variables that are not explicitly stated in the original equations. The discussion also reflects varying levels of understanding and approaches to algebraic manipulation.

mconn86
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi, I have the following two equations of the form:

A^2 - B^2=hj(k^2) and 2AB=mjk

and I need to get them into the form

A=k.sqrt(hj/2).{sqrt((1)+(m/hk)^2)+1}^(1/2)

and

B=k.sqrt(hj/2).{sqrt((1)+(m/hk)^2)-1}^(1/2)

I've been trying in vain for a while now and its starting to annoy me coz I know it should be simple. Any ideas?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What about you just solve the second one for either A or B and plug it into the other one?
Didn't check it, but if they are really equivalent it should work.
 
Yeah I've done that, that's not the problem really,its just getting it into the form I need.
 
I'm not sure I'll get exactly what you got, but I'll give it a try.

A^2 - B^2=hj(k^2) and 2AB=mjk

and I need to get them into the form

A=k.sqrt(hj/2).{sqrt((1)+(m/hk)^2)+1}^(1/2)

The second one gives B = mjk/2A. Plugging this into the first one gives
[tex]A^2 - \frac{ (m j k / 2)^2 }{ A^2 } = h j k^2[/tex]
Calling [itex]\alpha = A^2[/itex] and multiplying through by [itex]\alpha[/itex], we get
[tex]\alpha^2 - h j k^2 \alpha - (m j k / 2)^2 = 0[/tex]
The solutions are
[tex]\alpha = \frac12\left( h j k^2 \pm \sqrt{h^2 j^2 k^4 + j^2 k^2 m^2 \right)[/tex]
so let's take the positive one. From now on I'll start taking things out of square roots by using [itex]\sqrt{X Y^2} = Y \sqrt{X}[/itex], so you need the assumption that they are positive. First rewrite alpha into
[tex]\alpha = \cdot \frac{1}{2} \left(h j k^2 + h j k^2 \sqrt{1 + m^2 / (h^2 k^2)} \right)[/tex]
and then take out h j k^2:
[tex]\alpha = k^2 \cdot \frac{h j}{2} \left(1 + \sqrt{1 + m^2 / (h^2 k^2)} \right)[/tex]
Solve [itex]\alpha = A^2[/itex] for A (pick the positive root again), take the k^2 outside the square root and use [itex]\sqrt{a b} = \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b}[/itex].
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K