Formula

[Gamewizard]

Hi im finding it hard to calculate a formula. Can anyone please help me ?

 

 

t=13.94-15.55/squareroot of 1.8410(1/14+1/15) the answer to this is -3.19 but i keep getting diffrent answers because im confused on how to work out the 1/14+1/15 bit.

 

which step are you supposed to do first ? thanks

[cypress]

Gamewizard,

 

I can only get -3.19 when I work the problem this way: t=(13.94-15.55)/((1.8410*(1/14+1/15))^0.5)

 

You have to work from the inside of the parentheses outward. Using standard math order convention exponents go first then multiplication and division and then addition and subtraction so this format works also: t=(13.94-15.55)/(1.8410*(1/14+1/15))^0.5 but the way you wrote it you would get -16.90.

 

Since the 1/14+1/15 are in parentheses you work that first in either case.

[Gamewizard]

Gamewizard,

 

I can only get -3.19 when I work the problem this way: t=(13.94-15.55)/((1.8410*(1/14+1/15))^0.5)

 

You have to work from the inside of the parentheses outward. Using standard math order convention exponents go first then multiplication and division and then addition and subtraction so this format works also: t=(13.94-15.55)/(1.8410*(1/14+1/15))^0.5 but the way you wrote it you would get -16.90.

 

Since the 1/14+1/15 are in parentheses you work that first in either case.

 

Oh yes i get it now, thats what I wasnt sure about. Thanks cypress

 

Just another thing, what does the ^0.5 signify ? is it the square root ?

Edited December 25, 2010 by Gamewizard

[cypress]

Oh yes i get it now, thats what I wasnt sure about. Thanks cypress

 

Just another thing, what does the ^0.5 signify ? is it the square root ?

 

Glad I could help. Yes it is the square root. ^ is shorthand for exponent and the formula is raised to the 1/2 or 0.5 power. It can be shown that if ^2 is squaring a number then the number raised to the reciprocal or 1/2 is the square root.

[Gamewizard]

Glad I could help. Yes it is the square root. ^ is shorthand for exponent and the formula is raised to the 1/2 or 0.5 power. It can be shown that if ^2 is squaring a number then the number raised to the reciprocal or 1/2 is the square root.

 

 

oh ok cool thanks again