Solve v = u + at for t

Step by step

The question

Question: solve for t in v = u + at.

We treat the other letters like numbers.

1 t on the left

t is on the right.

We swap the two sides, so t is on the left.

They are still equal.

2 Remove the u

We want t by itself.

The u is in the way.

To remove u, we take away u.

We do it on both sides.

They make zero.

Cross them out.

Now we have at = v − u.

3 Remove the a

at means a times t.

We want just t.

To remove times a, we divide by a.

We do it on both sides.

a divided by a is 1.

So just t is left.

So t = (v − u) over a.

4 Check

Let's check with numbers.

We pick a = 2, u = 3, v = 5.

Our answer gives t = 1.

Now we put all the numbers into the start.

First the left side.

Now the right side.

Both sides are 5.

So our answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: t on the left.

Then: remove the u.

Then: remove the a.

Last: check.