Is Removing c from the Square Root in This Equation Correct?

In summary, if you want to remove c from the square root, you need to use the following expression: ##r = \sqrt { {c} + {x} } {c}##.
  • #1
rgtr
92
8
Homework Statement
## r ={ \sqrt{c^2} + {x} } ##
Relevant Equations
## r ={ \sqrt{c^2} + {x} } ##
If I wanted to remove c from the square root, ## r ={ \sqrt{c^2} + {x} } ## would this be correct ## r = \sqrt { {c} + {x} } {c} ## ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
No they these two expressions for ##r## are not necessarily equal. For example c=2, x=1, the first gives ##r=2+1=3## while the second ##r=\sqrt{2+2}=2##.

if ##c## is a real number it is straightforward to remove the square root from ##c^2##...
 
  • #3
How can I remove a single c from the square root?
 
  • #4
Assuming ##c,x\in\mathbb{R}##:
It is ##\sqrt{c^2}=|c|## where ##|c|## the absolute value of c.
On the other expression , ##\sqrt{c+xc}=\sqrt{c(x+1)}=\sqrt{c}\sqrt{x+1}## only if we are given that c,x+1 are positive. As you can see in this case there is no way to remove c from the square root.
 
Last edited:
  • #5
okay thanks
 
  • #6
rgtr said:
How can I remove a single c from the square root?
What are you really trying to do?
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #7
I am trying to solve ##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {v^2 - c^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2h} {c} ## Then I need to divide TB by TA. This is in reference to special relativity deriving time dilation.

I managed to reduce it to ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac {( 2h)(c)} { \sqrt {(2h)( v^2 - c^2)} } ## . Then ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac { \sqrt {( v^2 - c^2)} } {c} ## The problem I then encounter is I have equal amount of the c variables. So I figure I have mutliply both sides by ## \frac {1} {c^2} ## Is this correct? Or is there a better way? Or are my calculations wrong?

Also why do I divide instead of - TB and TA?
 
Last edited:
  • #8
rgtr said:
I am trying to solve ##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {v^2 - c^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2H} {c} ##
You are solving for ##T_B##, ##T_A##, ##h##, ##H## or ##v##?

i.e. what are your knowns and that are your unknowns?

Also, can you back up and tell us what you are really trying to do instead of starting in the middle with partially simplified equations that may or may not be correct?
 
  • #9
I am trying to get gamma. so iow's ## \frac {T_B} {T_A } = gamma## I would have to do the calculations. I guess I am asking am I am on the right track? Sure I will show my math. Let me make a new post.
 
  • #10
##r = (\sqrt (c^2)) + x##
##r = (\sqrt (c))(\sqrt (c)) + x##
##r^2 = (\sqrt (c))(\sqrt (c))^2 + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##
##r^2 = (\sqrt (c^2))(\sqrt (c^2)) + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##
##r^2 = c(\sqrt (c^2)) + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##

That seems to be the only way to forcefully produce a single c out of the square root.
 
  • Skeptical
  • Informative
Likes DaveE, Delta2 and PeroK
  • #11
Are the ##h,H## the same thing?
 
  • #12
rgtr said:
I am trying to solve ##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {v^2 - c^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2h} {c} ## Then I need to divide TB by TA. This is in reference to special relativity deriving time dilation.

I managed to reduce it to ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac {( 2h)(c)} { \sqrt {(2h)( v^2 - c^2)} } ## . Then ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac { \sqrt {( v^2 - c^2)} } {c} ## The problem I then encounter is I have equal amount of the c variables. So I figure I have mutliply both sides by ## \frac {1} {c^2} ## Is this correct? Or is there a better way? Or are my calculations wrong?

Also why do I divide instead of - TB and TA?
You have several problems (errors) here. In addition to Algebra issues, it looks like there must be errors with the physics. Assuming that ##v^2<c^2## you have the square root of a negative quantity.

So, please answer @jbriggs444 questions much more thoroughly. What are you really trying to do?
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #13
Ameyzing73 said:
##r = (\sqrt (c^2)) + x##
##r = (\sqrt (c))(\sqrt (c)) + x##
##r^2 = (\sqrt (c))(\sqrt (c))^2 + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##
##r^2 = (\sqrt (c^2))(\sqrt (c^2)) + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##
##r^2 = c(\sqrt (c^2)) + x^2 + 2x(\sqrt(c^2))##

That seems to be the only way to forcefully produce a single c out of the square root.
This makes sense as: in reality this can be simply written as ##r= c + x## . Squaring this equation would essentially give the same answer.
 
  • Skeptical
Likes DaveE and PeroK
  • #14
Ameyzing73 said:
This makes sense as: in reality this can be simply written as ##r= c + x## . Squaring this equation would essentially give the same answer.
Neither of your posts are correct.

Please, just let @jbriggs444 make a reply.
 
  • #15
In LaTeX how do I go 1/1/1/1/?
 
  • #16
you mean this $$\frac{\frac{1}{1}}{\frac{1}{1}}$$?

Write click on the latex pic and choose Display as Tex Commands
 
  • Like
Likes rgtr
  • #17
rgtr said:
I am trying to solve ##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {v^2 - c^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2h} {c} ## Then I need to divide TB by TA. This is in reference to special relativity deriving time dilation.

I managed to reduce it to ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac {( 2h)(c)} { \sqrt {(2h)( v^2 - c^2)} } ## . Then ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac { \sqrt {( v^2 - c^2)} } {c} ## The problem I then encounter is I have equal amount of the c variables. So I figure I have mutliply both sides by ## \frac {1} {c^2} ## Is this correct? Or is there a better way? Or are my calculations wrong?

Also why do I divide instead of - TB and TA?
First, as noted, you probably mean ##\sqrt{c^2-v^2}##.
Next, you have gone wrong in simplifying ## \frac {T_B} {T_A}##. In your first step, ##\frac {( 2h)(c)} { \sqrt {(2h)( v^2 - c^2)} } ## , I guess it is a typo that the 2h in the denominator is inside the square root. But your final ## \frac { \sqrt {( v^2 - c^2)} } {c} ## is inverted.

I don’t understand what you mean by "The problem I then encounter is I have equal amount of the c variables." Where were you hoping to go from there?
 
  • #18
haruspex said:
I don’t understand what you mean by "The problem I then encounter is I have equal amount of the c variables." Where were you hoping to go from there?
What I mean is that ## \frac {c} {c } = 1 ## .

Both H's are the same.part 1
## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac{\frac{2h}{c^2-v^2}}{\frac{ 2h} {c}} ##

part 2

Then I performed algebra rules 10 https://algebrarules.com/## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac {(2h)(c^2- v^2)}{(2h)(c} ##

part 3


Then I use algebra rule 4 the right hand side becomes the left side by using c. https://algebrarules.com/

## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac { (c)(1)} {\sqrt { (c^2 - v^2)} } ##

part 4

The c -v should be square rooted but due to formating issues I left it I am in a rush.
## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac{\frac{1}{c -v}}{\frac{1} {c} }##

part 5

I left the 1 at the bottom due to troubles with formatting.## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac{ \frac {1} {\sqrt {c^2-v^2}} } {\frac{c} {1} } ##I fixed it finally.
 
Last edited:
  • #19
rgtr said:
part 1
## \frac {T_B} {T_A} = \frac{\frac{2h}{c}}{\frac{ 2h} {c^2-v^2}} ##
## ##

You've lost a square root, and it seems inverted. In post #7 you wrote
rgtr said:
I am trying to solve ##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {v^2 - c^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2h} {c} ##
I see you now have the more reasonable ##c^2-v^2## so that becomes
##T_B = \frac {2h} {\sqrt {c^2 - v^2} } ## ,##T_A = \frac {2h} {c} ##

From that I get ## \frac {T_B} {T_A} =\frac{\frac{2h}{\sqrt{c^2-v^2}}}{\frac{ 2h} {c}} =\frac c{\sqrt{c^2-v^2}}##.
## ##
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #20
Ya the squre root was just a typo. My question is am I on the right track? I can also cancels out the c's.
 
Last edited:
  • #21
rgtr said:
I can also cancels out the c's.
This is where you lose me. What do you mean that you can cancel the c's?
You can do ##\frac c{\sqrt{c^2-v^2}}=\frac 1{\sqrt{1-(\frac vc)^2}}##.
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2 and rgtr
  • #22
RSOTE = right side of the equation.

Okay the RSOTE you just mentioned is confusing me. Can you explain it? The confusing part is the c's.

## \frac c { \sqrt{ { c } } } = 1 ##

I guess it is kind of self explained. Thanks I think the title needs a change.|

I just have 1 question in special relativity I have a stationary light clock and a moving light clock. Why did I divide them and not minus the two frames?
 
Last edited:
  • #23
rgtr said:
RSOTE = right side of the equation.

Okay the RSOTE you just mentioned is confusing me. Can you explain it? The confusing part is the c's.

Dividing top and bottom by c:
##\frac c{\sqrt{c^2-v^2}}=\frac 1{\frac 1c\sqrt{c^2-v^2}}##
Moving the 1/c inside the square root:
##=\frac 1{\sqrt{\frac 1{c^2}(c^2-v^2)}}##
##=\frac 1{\sqrt{1-(\frac vc)^2}}##.
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #24
rgtr said:
RSOTE = right side of the equation.
Please use the more standard "RHS" and "LHS" for designating the two sides of an equation. Thank you kindly. :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes malawi_glenn, SammyS and Delta2
  • #25
rgtr said:
I just have 1 question in special relativity I have a stationary light clock and a moving light clock. Why did I divide them and not minus the two frames?
Because special relativity laws imply ##\frac{T_B}{T_A}=\gamma## and not ##T_B-T_A=\gamma##? Anyway post this question in the relativity forum so that the experts there can give more detailed and in depth answers.

EDIT: You could 've taken ##T_B-T_A## and end up with ##T_B-T_A=(\gamma -1)T_A##
 
Last edited:
  • #26
rgtr said:
I guess it is kind of self explained. Thanks I think the title needs a change.|

I just have 1 question in special relativity I have a stationary light clock and a moving light clock. Why did I divide them and not minus the two frames?
Delta2 said:
Anyway post this question in the relativity forum so that the experts there can give more detailed and in depth answers.

No, @rgtr please send me a PM (private message -- click my avatar and "Start a Conversation") to explain your question. I will help you formulate it better and get it ready for a new thread start in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

This thread is closed for now.
 
  • Like
Likes Roon, Orodruin and SammyS

FAQ: Is Removing c from the Square Root in This Equation Correct?

What is a square root?

A square root is a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. For example, the square root of 25 is 5 because 5 multiplied by itself equals 25.

How do I find the square root of a number?

To find the square root of a number, you can use a calculator or manually calculate it by finding the number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. You can also use the square root symbol (√) on a calculator to find the square root of a number.

What is the difference between a perfect square and an imperfect square?

A perfect square is a number that has a whole number as its square root, such as 25 (which has a square root of 5). An imperfect square is a number that does not have a whole number as its square root, such as 27 (which has a square root of approximately 5.196).

How do I simplify expressions with square roots?

To simplify expressions with square roots, you can use the rules of exponents. For example, the square root of a product is equal to the product of the square roots of each factor. Additionally, you can simplify square roots by factoring out perfect squares and simplifying any remaining square roots.

Can you take the square root of a negative number?

No, you cannot take the square root of a negative number. This is because the square root of a negative number results in a complex number, which cannot be represented on a real number line. However, you can take the square root of a negative number if you are working with complex numbers.

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
964
Replies
12
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
957
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
2K
Back
Top