SOLUTION: A charged particle moves from 0.2m to 0.5m from a fixed reference point in 0.5us. Find its average speed during that interval (1us=10^-6 s) {{{ (0.5m-0.2m)/(0.5x10^-6*s) }}} I

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: A charged particle moves from 0.2m to 0.5m from a fixed reference point in 0.5us. Find its average speed during that interval (1us=10^-6 s) {{{ (0.5m-0.2m)/(0.5x10^-6*s) }}} I       Log On


   

Question 11731: A charged particle moves from 0.2m to 0.5m from a fixed reference point in 0.5us. Find its average speed during that interval (1us=10^-6 s)
+%280.5m-0.2m%29%2F%280.5x10%5E-6%2As%29+
I tried to figure it out and here is what I did
+%280.3%29%2F%28%280.5%29%2F%28%281%29%2F%2810%5E6%29%29%29+

+%280.3%29%2F%28%280.5%29%2F%280.000001%29%29+

+%280.3%29%2F%28500000%29+

+%280.3%29%2F%280.0000006%29+
Now I can tell by looking in the answer book that the answer is:
+6%2A10%5E5+m/s
when I see this answer I cant help but think not only am I doing it wrong but its probably pretty simple... unfortunately the books guide and examples are not helping me to understand how to do the problem. The reason I am probably not understanding is the book is a introductory caclulus dealing with limits the section I am on is for "instantaneous speed of an object" and I am most likely not remembering how to do something that is covered in earlier maths like algebra.
any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, you got a good start on this. Let's take it step-by-step.
%280.5m+-+0.2m%29%2F0.5X10%5E%28-6%29s
0.3m%2F0.5X10%5E%28-6%29 At this point I would change completely to scientific notation.
%283X10%5E%28-1%29%29%2F5X10%5E%28-7%29 Now, I would make the exponents positive by moving them up (or down, as the case may be).
%283X10%5E7%29%2F5X10%5E1 Simplify.
%283X10%5E6%29%2F5
%283%2F5%29X10%5E6
%286%2F10%29X10%5E6
6X10%5E5m/sec.