# Math Help - Solve for t

1. ## Solve for t

Unsure how to show this as an equation. I tried looking for a help guide for this site, so I apologize and if anyone can direct me that would be great.

But the problem is this.

Solve y = 1/2 a t^2 for t

The 1/2 is a fraction. I looked online and found many examples but all of them had addition signs and were not exactly like this. I am pretty stumped.

2. ## Re: Solve for t

If the question is only asking you to solve for t:

Step 1:
$y = \frac{at^2}{2}$

Step 2:
$2y = at^2$

Step 3:
$\frac{2y}{a} = t^2$

Step 4:
$\sqrt{\frac{2y}{a}} = t$

And you're done.

As for writing your math nicely, this forum uses LaTeX. There are plenty of guides for it online. To write your initial problem you would type: y = \frac{at^2}{2} with [ tex] before your equation and [ /tex] after it (minus the spaces).

3. ## Re: Solve for t

Originally Posted by Charney
If the question is only asking you to solve for t:

Step 1:
$y = \frac{at^2}{2}$

Step 2:
$2y = at^2$

Step 3:
$\frac{2y}{a} = t^2$

Step 4:
$\sqrt{\frac{2y}{a}} = t$

And you're done.

As for writing your math nicely, this forum uses LaTeX. There are plenty of guides for it online. To write your initial problem you would type: y = \frac{at^2}{2} with [ tex] before your equation and [ /tex] after it (minus the spaces).
Step 4:

$t= \pm \sqrt{\frac{2y}{a}}$