yeah im dumb Dimensionally correct?

[Sacofjoea]

Working on Dimensional Analysis in Physics and having a problem understanding what it is im supposed to do when deterimining if the equation is dimensionally correct... here is an example of what im doing:

m/s = (m/s + m/s)/2

That one I dont seem to have a problem with (if I did it correctly...) simply multiply the 2 and then add the m/s's and they equal (therefore its dimensionally correct)

Im having trouble with ones like..

m/s = m/s^2 + 2(m/s^2)(m^2)
I can break it down a few steps but it doesn't end up to being equal.. so is this simply not dimensionally correct?
and
m = (1/2)(m/s)(s) + (m/s^2)(s)
ahh confusing...

I must not be getting what to do... the teacher was rushing at the bell so yeah dont know what im doing lol...

Anyone wanna help? :)
Thanks
Sac

[Destined Soul]

You don't really add them, you only multiply/divide (in a sense.)

ie: (m/s + m/s)*m --> (m/s)*m --> m2/s

Here's a better example:

If you walk 3 meters and then 4 more meters (m + m), you've travelled 7 meters, not meters2.

So for your example:

m/s^2 + 2(m/s^2)(m^2)

m/s^2 + oops. (m/s^2)(m^2) --> m^3/s^2

I think you might have typed it in wrong since you can't add two different types together. To add (ie: m+m), you have to have both in the same units. You can't find an answer to "what's 2 meters plus 3 seconds?" When you do add, you don't really add (or subtract) anything, but just group them together. (m/s + m/s + m/s) gives an answer in m/s.

Only when multiplying do you put them together, in powers.

(m/s)*m = m2/s

(m/s)*(1/s) = m/s2

(kg*m/s2)*[1/(m/s)] = kg/s (as m's cancel and one s cancels)

Does this help?

Destined

[Sacofjoea]

Hey

Well, the thing is, im not really trying to add them. The purpose of doing this is to check your work. What I was told to do by my teacher was to attempt to solve it like an algebra equation and then see if both sides are equal.. if they are its Dimensional, if not or you cannot reduce anymore then its not. I had a friend show me a few things on it, seems a bit too easy to be right, but ill stick with it and ask my teacher more on it tomorrow at school.

thanks destined for your info
sac

[bugzpodder]

Destined Soul's reply make sense to me.