Unit Analysis

Example 1:  V=V_0+at
Example 2:  x=\frac{V}{3a}
Note:
x=Distance (meters)
V = Distance/time ( meters/second )
a = Distance/time^2 (m/s^2)
t=time (s)

A.) Is example 1 Dimensionally correct?

V=v_0r \cdot a \cdot t Break equation into components/piecs

(m/s)=(m/s)+(m/s^2) \cdot s Cancel terms

m/s = m/s + m/s

m/s = m/s

B.) Is example 2 Dimensionally correct?

m=\frac {m/s}{3 \cdot {m/s^2}} Remove the numbers

m=\frac {m/s}{m/s^2}

m=\frac{s^2}{m} \cdot \frac{m}{s} Cancel terms

m=s  Not True

Therefore, this equation is dimensionally incorrect!