A student solving for the acceleration of an object has applied appropriate physics principles and obtained the expression a=a1+Fm where a1=3.00 meter/second2, F=12.0kilogram⋅meter/second2 and m=7.00kilogram. First, which of the following is the correct step for obtaining a common denominator for the two fractions in the expression in solving for a?

For this case, the correct equation is given by:

a = a1 + F / m

Where,

a1 = 3.00 meter / second2

F = 12.0kilogram⋅meter / second2

m = 7.00kilogram

Substituting values we have:

a = 3 + (12) / 7

The first step is to make common factor 1/7:

a = (1/7) (21 + 12)

Then, we add the expression within the parenthesis:

a = (1/7) (33)

The result is:

a = 33/7

Answer:

The first step is to make common factor 1/7:

a = (1/7) (21 + 12)