# Thread: How to rearrange/manipulate algebraically?

1. ## How to rearrange/manipulate algebraically?

This is a formula for chemistry, but I'm having trouble figuring out out it was rearranged. I'd love any help/steps/explanations on how this was rearranged!

This is the first line:
$=\frac{h^2(n+1)^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}-\frac{h^2n^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}$

It was then manipulated to this:
$=(\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2})((n+1)^2-n^2)$

I'd appreciate any help!

2. ## Re: How to rearrange/manipulate algebraically?

Originally Posted by maybealways
This is a formula for chemistry, but I'm having trouble figuring out out it was rearranged. I'd love any help/steps/explanations on how this was rearranged!

This is the first line:
$=\frac{h^2(n+1)^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}-\frac{h^2n^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}$

It was then manipulated to this:
$=(\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2})((n+1)^2-n^2)$

I'd appreciate any help!
They took out the highest common factor.

3. ## Re: How to rearrange/manipulate algebraically?

Factor out $\frac{h^2 \pi^2}{2mL^2}$.

4. ## Re: How to rearrange/manipulate algebraically?

Originally Posted by maybealways
This is a formula for chemistry, but I'm having trouble figuring out out it was rearranged. I'd love any help/steps/explanations on how this was rearranged!

This is the first line:
$=\frac{h^2(n+1)^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}-\frac{h^2n^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}$
Working from left to right, we see that there is a " $h^2$ in both terms. There is an $(n+1)^2$ in the first term but not the second. Likewise there is an $n^2$ in the second term but not the first. There is a $\pi^2$ in both terms. And, of course, there is $2mL^2$ in the denominator of both terms. That means we can factor out $\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}$ leaving $(n+1)^2- n^2$. Hence:
$\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}((n+1)^2- n^2)$.

In fact, we could go a step further. Since $(n+1)^2= n^2+ 2n+ 1$, $(n+1)^2- n^2= 2n+ 1$ so we could write it as $\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2}(2n+1)$.

It was then manipulated to this:
$=(\frac{h^2\pi^2}{2mL^2})((n+1)^2-n^2)$

I'd appreciate any help!