Author Question: How to rearrange formula for physics? (Read 1464 times)

curlz · **on:** Oct 4, 2013

I dont know how to rearrange, in general, so...

Acceleration= change of speed ÷ time taken

How wud u work out time taken. Thank u n plz explain step by step.

N if possible all the rearrangements in this formula, step by step!!

Thank u.

xclash · **Reply #1 on:** Oct 4, 2013

Just setting each variable to a symbol to represent it so its easier to type.
Acceleration: a
Change in speed: v
Time taken: t

So the original equation is

a=v/t
First you want to get t out of the denominator, this can be done by multipling each side by t resulting in

a(t)=v

The t in the denominator is cancelled out because t/t = 1 and v(1) = v

Next to get the t isolated you will need to divide both sides by a. This will result in

t=v/a

And similar to the step before the a is cancelled on the desired side.

Now the t is isolated this is your final equation.

Time taken = change in speed / acceleration

darbym82 · **Reply #2 on:** Oct 4, 2013

Rearranging equations is a skill that you really need to learn.

Acceleration= change of speed ÷ time taken

multiply both sides of the equation by [time taken]

acceleration * time taken = change of speed * time taken ÷ time taken

{But anything divided by itself is just equal to 1}

acceleration * time taken = change of speed * 1

{Multiplying by 1 doesn't change anything}

acceleration * time taken = change of speed

{You normally write this with the single term on the left hand side, so the first rearrangement would be written as:}

change of speed = acceleration * time taken

Same idea again, this time divide both sides by acceleration

change of speed ÷ acceleration = acceleration * time taken ÷ acceleration

change of speed ÷ acceleration = time taken

time taken = change of speed ÷ acceleration