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use of the quadratic formula?
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Sasha
#1 Posted : Thursday, August 02, 2012 9:23:28 PM
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In regards to physics and chemistry equations, I'm assuming there should never be a need to use the quadratic formula. Given this, what are we supposed to do to solve for for a variable in situations like the on pg. 200 of the Chemistry class companion?
Where:(x= 9.5 x 10^-8 is derived from (x + 10^-8)(x)

Or to find time (t) from the equation: Y = Yo + Voyt - 1/2gt^2
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simonfeng
#2 Posted : Monday, July 01, 2013 1:09:30 PM
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Hi Sasha,

How I recommended that my students solve those problems is to use estimation. For that particular chemistry equation, I told them to treat the [H+] as 10^-8 + 10^-7. That gives 1.1^-7 which is close enough to the actual value to help you guess the correct answer once you solve for it.

For the kinematics equation, there will usually be a way to either eliminate one or two of the components on the right of that equation. As far as I know, I have never seen the need to know how to manipulate the quadratic formula on the MCAT.
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