Algebra · real student question

Solve Gm divided by d squared equals Gx divided by d squared, for x.

Question

Solve for xx:

Gmd2=Gxd2\frac{Gm}{d^2}=\frac{Gx}{d^2}

Step-by-step solution

  1. Record the conditions that make the algebra legal. The equation only makes sense if d0d\neq 0 (otherwise both sides are undefined), and dividing by GG later requires G0G\neq 0. In the physical reading — this is Newton's gravitational field g=Gm/d2g=Gm/d^2 compared at the same distance — G=6.674×1011G=6.674\times 10^{-11} is a nonzero constant, so both conditions hold automatically.

  2. Clear the identical denominators. Multiplying both sides by d2d^2:

    Gm=GxGm=Gx

    Because the same d2d^2 sits under both sides, one multiplication removes it entirely; there is no cross-multiplication to do.

  3. Divide by the common factor GG.

    m=xm=x

    This is the only step where G0G\neq 0 is needed. Note that no rearranging of mm or xx was required — they were already isolated by the cancellations.

  4. Interpret the result. The distance dd has dropped out completely, so the conclusion holds at every separation: two bodies produce the same gravitational field at the same distance precisely when their masses are equal. The answer therefore depends on neither dd nor GG.

  5. Check by substitution. Putting x=mx=m back in makes the two sides literally the same expression Gmd2\dfrac{Gm}{d^2}, so the equation is satisfied — and it is satisfied for no other value of xx, since Gm=GxGm=Gx forces x=mx=m once G0G\neq 0.

Answer

x=m(G0, d0)x=m\qquad(G\neq 0,\ d\neq 0)

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