Question

The final velocity, V, of an object under constant acceleration can be found using the formula V2= v2 + 2as, where v is the initial velocity (in meters per second), a is acceleration (in meters per second), and s is the distance (in meters). What is the formula solved for a?

Answer 1

Whenever you work any "solve for" problem, you start by looking at what is done to the variable of interest. Here, a is multiplied by 2s and added to v². You must reverse these operations, generally in reverse order.

V² -v² = 2as . . . . . . . . subtract v²

(V² -v²)/(2s) = a . . . . . divide by the coefficient of a

Solved for a, the formula is ...

... a = (V² -v²)/(2s)