Math question

The distance traveled by an object can be modeled by the equation d = ut + 0.5at2 where d = distance, u = initial velocity, t = time, and a = acceleration. Solve this formula for a. Show all steps in your work.

Question

Math question

The distance traveled by an object can be modeled by the equation d = ut + 0.5at2 where d = distance, u = initial velocity, t = time, and a = acceleration. Solve this formula for a. Show all steps in your work.

amistre64 · Answer

its basic algebra .... subtract and divide

adll23 · Answer

I'm not good at algebra so I came here for help

amistre64 · Answer

not much to help with on this .. subtract, and then divide.

where is the issue?

adll23 · Answer

I just don't get what its asking lol

amistre64 · Answer

d = ut + 0.5 a t2
                    ^
                get this guy all by his little lonesome over here

adll23 · Answer

k so I minus 0.5

amistre64 · Answer

no, minus ut, since its just hanging about there.

adll23 · Answer

k so how do I minus ut from d?

amistre64 · Answer

d = ut + 0.5 a t2
-ut   -ut
----------------
d-ut = .5 a t^2

now all tha tis left is sticking to the a by multiplication, so we divide it off

amistre64 · Answer

just subtract ut from d ...

adll23 · Answer

so then I divide what?

amistre64 · Answer

whatever is not a

amistre64 · Answer

.5 and t^2 are not a, so they can divide off

adll23 · Answer

so I divide .5

amistre64 · Answer

(d-ut) = (.5 a t^2)
----      --------
.5t^2        .5 t^2

since .5/.5 = 1 and t^2/t^2 = 1,  a*1*1 = a all by itself

amistre64 · Answer

as long as t is not 0, we should be fine

adll23 · Answer

so the answer is a*1*1?

amistre64 · Answer

no

amistre64 · Answer

if a is all by itself on the right, then it equals all the is on the left ...

adll23 · Answer

but you said a*1*1=a all by itself

amistre64 · Answer

follow thru again ...

d = ut + .5 a t^2

what should we do first?

adll23 · Answer

minus ut from d

adll23 · Answer

which would be ut-d=.5 a t^2

amistre64 · Answer

and yes, i do see where that choice of wording was not a good choice on my part :)

minus ut, from both sides.

d-ut = .5 a t^2

notice how we are unwrapping the 'a' ... what next?

adll23 · Answer

divide .5 and t^2

amistre64 · Answer

good

(d-ut)/(.5t^2) = a

now 'a' is all alone, and it equals whatever is on the other side

adll23 · Answer

so a equals (d-ut)/(.5t^d) or do we have to simplify it?

amistre64 · Answer

im not grading it, so however farther you wish to take it is up to you.

amistre64 · Answer

we got 'a' all by itself on one side ... so whatever else you do is no matter to me or to the math of 'a' ... it just makes the other side look differently

adll23 · Answer

ok thank you!

amistre64 · Answer

good luck :)