2006-12-04 05:23:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I imagine there is an historical reason why "x" first came into the picture, but nowadays 'x' is used because it represents the 'unknown'. Back when x-rays were first discovered by Roentgen it was not known what the rays were. So they were termed 'x' rays.
There are other vernaculars where 'x' is used......as in 'x' marks the spot and that kind of thing.
Once 'x' is used to represent an unknown quantity it's rather natural to associate 'y' along with it I guess.
If you use 'a' to represent a quantity and there are other quantities to work with one will often use 'b', 'c' and others logically associated with it. Make sense?
Mathermatically you have to isolate the independent variable (usually x) from the dependent one (usually y), but that's not a rule per se, it's JUST a convention, as far as naming goes, but isolating the variable, and the process thereto is the method by which the value for that variable is found. All the steps of an algebra problem are designed specifically because they work to find a quantity of interest.
Your question was rather vague, so I wasn't sure exactly how to answer you, but I gave it my best guess. Hope it helps you.
2006-12-04 06:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
X and Y are separated because X, in terms of projectile motion, is subject to a verticle force (such as gravity) and Y is subject to a horizontal force (such as the effects horizontally of something being thrown). They are two different forces that act together to give the curvature you see in simple projectile motion.
2006-12-04 13:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by chera 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We separate every vector into X and Y (Horizontal and Vertical) because of the other variables. For example, acceleration. We may acceleration in the vertical direction (9.81 m/s2 down) but horizontally, acceleration could be zero.
distance vertically is different than horizontal distance.
2006-12-04 13:26:46 · answer #3 · answered by Math-Chem-Physics Teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
X and Y allow you to analyze in two dimensions (e.g. billiard balls on a pool table).
X, Y , and Z allow you to analyse in space (e.g. trajectory of a rocket).
X, Y, Z, and T (=time) allow you to analyze space-time effects (e.g., in general relativity, bending of light by gravity, etc.)
2006-12-04 14:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Again, please be clearer in your question. What are you really looking for?
2006-12-04 13:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by nammy_410 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋