How to Solve for a Variable

The video tutorial guides students through solving a previous New York Regents exam question. It explains the formula for acceleration as the change in velocity over time and demonstrates how to solve for the final velocity in terms of initial velocity, acceleration, and time. The instructor emphasizes the importance of showing all work to gain full or partial credit and provides tips for verifying solutions. The tutorial concludes with a reminder to always re-read the problem to ensure the solution is correct.

What is the formula used to calculate acceleration in the given problem?

• a = vf * vi / t

• a = vf / vi * t

• a = vf - vi / t

• a = vf + vi / t

What is the first step in isolating the final velocity in the equation?

• Divide both sides by t

• Add vi to both sides

• Subtract vi from both sides

• Multiply both sides by t

After multiplying both sides by t, what does the equation become?

• at = vf - vi

• at = vf / vi

• at = vf + vi

• at = vf * vi

What operation is performed to eliminate the initial velocity from the right side of the equation?

• Multiplication

• Subtraction

• Division

• Addition

Why is it important to check the solution against the original problem?

• To confirm the units are correct

• To verify the correct variable is isolated

• To make sure the solution is in the correct format

• To ensure the equation is balanced