Variables This should be easy -- Matched units on LHS & RHS?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the consistency of units in various physics equations involving variables such as position, velocity, time, and acceleration. Participants are examining whether the units on the left-hand side of the equations match those on the right-hand side.

Discussion Character

  • Assumption checking, Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant suggests replacing variables with their corresponding units to verify consistency in the equations. Another participant expresses uncertainty about how to articulate their reasoning despite having intuitive answers based on past experiences.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the unit consistency check, while others emphasize the importance of following forum rules regarding homework submissions. There is a recognition of differing interpretations of the answers provided, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the necessity of adhering to the homework template and providing a clear attempt at a solution, which has not been fully addressed by the original poster.

kng1994
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Variable Units
x Meters (m)
v Meters per second (m/s)
t seconds (s)
a Meters per second squared (m/s^2) These variables appear in the following equations, along with a few numbers that have no units. In which of the equations are the units on the left side of the equals sign consistent with the units on the right side?
(a) x = vt
Yes or No?

(b) x = vt + 1/2 at^2
Yes or No?

(c) v = at
Yes or No?

(d) v = at + 1/2 at^3
Yes or No?

(e) v^3 = 2ax^2
Yes or No?

(f) t = square root(2x/a)
Yes or No?" itemprop="text">The following table lists four variables along with their units. Variable Units
x Meters (m)
v Meters per second (m/s)
t seconds (s)
a Meters per second squared (m/s^2) These variables appear in the following equations, along with a few numbers that have no units. In which of the equations are the units on the left side of the equals sign consistent with the units on the right side?
(a) x = vt
Yes or No?

(b) x = vt + 1/2 at^2
Yes or No?

(c) v = at
Yes or No?

(d) v = at + 1/2 at^3
Yes or No?

(e) v^3 = 2ax^2
Yes or No?

(f) t = square root(2x/a)
Yes or No?

A B C F are all yes's right and D and E are no's right? If this is correct can someone try walking me through how to show my work for my answer. I can just see with my eyes what is going to work with past experiences but no way to actually describe why.
 
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Try replacing all the variables with the units associated with it, then carry out the operations. For the first one:
x=vt
m=(m/s)*s
Does that work out?
 
Also, yes.
 
kng1994, you have to use the homework template when posting a homework question and you absolutely have to write an attempt at a solution.
 
DrClaude said:
kng1994, you have to use the homework template when posting a homework question and you absolutely have to write an attempt at a solution.
Seconded. I was tired last night and not paying attention, otherwise I would have (presumably) mentioned that.
While you have answers, those answers are not work.
 

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