Question

For the simple harmonic motion equation , what is the period?

Answer 1

unaltered, sin and cos have a period of 2pi

Answer 2

if we alter it by say

sin(kx) , then we know when kx=2pi, we begin a new cycle

x = 2pi/k is therefore the period of an altered function of sin or cos

Answer 3

so how do we apply this information to your problem?

Answer 4

did you see the pic? I wasn't able to send the equation

Answer 5

i see the pic yes

Answer 6

wouldn't it be sin, because that is what is in the problem?

Answer 7

sin is the name of a function, its not a value of a period.

Answer 8

sin and cos have the same period ... you have sin in the problem yes

from what ive posted, how do we apply this to our problem?

Answer 9

I'm not sure

Answer 10

ok, then lets approach it this way.

lets say we have a function sin(u)

what is the period of this function?

Answer 11

u?

Answer 12

u is the input variable ... it has no value. what is the normal period of the sine function?

sin(u) has a period of what? ive already posted it in about my first posting if you need to reread it.

Answer 13

2pi

Answer 14

good

that means that when u=2pi we start all over again

u = 2pi, now lets redefine u as the arguement of your problem

pi/3 x = u

so lets replace u by this:

pi/3 x = 2pi

what is the value of x that makes this true?

Answer 15

sin(u) = sin(pi/3 x)

sin(2pi) = sin(pi/3 x) when x = ......

Answer 16

-1 or 1?

Answer 17

we have reduced the problem to some pretty basic math here.

pi/3 x = 2pi , how do we solve for x?

to test your values: -pi/3 is not equal to 2 pi
and: pi/3 is not equal to 2pi

so x = 1 or -1 is not a solution


pi/3 x = 2pi , how do we solve for x?

Answer 18

can we minus pi/3 from each side?

Answer 19

technically we can, but that doesnt help us out in the long run

how about we start my multiplying both sides by 3? what do we get after that?

Answer 20

x=6pi, right?

Answer 21

oooh, close

(3)pi/3 x = (3)2 pi

pi x = 6 pi

divide by pi and we get x=6, right?

Answer 22

yeah

Answer 23

then that is the value that starts the process over again; 6 is our period of sin(pi/3 x)

Answer 24

ok, thank you

Answer 25

youre welcome