Unit analysis - using measurements as variables - correct (?)

[Wolfowitz]

Homework Statement

Currently, I'm expected to find the side length of a square garden whose area is 25cm². Of course, we're talking about a square here, and since the area of a rectangle is l * w, and, when talking about a square, l = w, the area of a square is S². Of course, I know each side length is going to be 5cm - that's rather obvious. Instead, I'm asking as to whether I should treat the actual measurement, "cm", as a variable.

(e.g.

25cm^2 = squareroot[25cm^2] * squareroot[25cm^2]
25cm^2 = squareroot[25] * squareroot[25] * squareroot[cm^2] * squareroot[cm^2]
25cm^2 = 5 * 5 * cm * cm
25cm^2 = 25*cm^2
25cm^2 = 25cm^2.)

Please pay attention to how I'm treating cm as a variable - is it mathematically correct to do this? That's my question.

If not, my question would be this:

How do you algebraically find the final unit of measurement in which your final answer will be presented, in this question, of course.

 

[symbolipoint]

No. "cm" is a unit of measurement. Length, which you called, l, is a variable. Width, which you called, w, is a varaible. Both the numbers, l and w, count centimeters.

 

[cepheid]

Yes, in essence, a physical quantity consists of a number and a unit. The unit can be treated as something that is multiplied by the number (since you have 5 units of 1 cm). As a result, when you square the quantity, you square both the number and the unit. (The square of a product of two numbers is equal to the product of the square of those two numbers).

(5 cm)² = 5² cm² = 25 cm²

In reverse, it is as follows:

(25 cm²)^1/2 = (25)^1/2 (cm²)^1/2

= 5 cm

I guess that's basically what you wrote.

 

[Wolfowitz]

Yes, in essence, a physical quantity consists of a number and a unit. The unit can be treated as something that is multiplied by the number (since you have 5 units of 1 cm). As a result, when you square the quantity, you square both the number and the unit. (The square of a product of two numbers is equal to the product of the square of those two numbers).

(5 cm)² = 5² cm² = 25 cm²

In reverse, it is as follows:

(25 cm²)^1/2 = (25)^1/2 (cm²)^1/2

= 5 cm

I guess that's basically what you wrote.

Thanks a bunch!