A question about factoring

[Random Variable]

How would you know in the context of physics problem if it's proper to factor ((ax)^2-2abxy+(by)^2)^(1/2) as ax-by or as by-ax?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

wtf

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
wtf

Thanks for the help.

 

[Heisenberg]

Are you trying to do [(ax)^2-2abxy+(by)^2]^(1/2) = [(ax-by)^2]^(1/2) = (ax-by)?

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Are you trying to do [(ax)^2-2abxy+(by)^2]^(1/2) = [(ax-by)^2]^(1/2) = (ax-by)?

No.

I'll get rid of the coefficients.

(x^2-2xy+y^2)^(1/2) could be simplied as x-y or as y-x

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Random Variable

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Are you trying to do [(ax)^2-2abxy+(by)^2]^(1/2) = [(ax-by)^2]^(1/2) = (ax-by)?

No.

I'll get rid of the coefficients.

(x^2-2xy+y^2)^(1/2) could be simplied as x-y or as y-x

Yeah, (x^2-2xy+y^2) is either (x-y)^2 or (y-x)^2. The one you pick is probably dictated by whatever problem you're solving. I would guess that one gives an unphysical answer.

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

Originally posted by: Random Variable

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Are you trying to do [(ax)^2-2abxy+(by)^2]^(1/2) = [(ax-by)^2]^(1/2) = (ax-by)?

No.

I'll get rid of the coefficients.

(x^2-2xy+y^2)^(1/2) could be simplied as x-y or as y-x

Yeah, (x^2-2xy+y^2) is either (x-y)^2 or (y-x)^2. The one you pick is probably dictated by whatever problem you're solving. I would guess that one gives an unphysical answer.

And you were correct. I wrote the original expression incorrectly.