On 11/09/2019 21:06, David Paste wrote:
Hello,

When writing, for example, "metres per second per second" for
acceleration, it is noted as ms^-2 (where the caret symbolises
the -2 is in superscript).

I understand that, and why, "per second per second" is "seconds
squared", but in the notation, why is it superscript minus 2? Why
not just superscript 2?

If I was ever taught this in maths lessons, the info is no longer
in my head.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Its a bit like the way you can do a division by multiplying by the
reciprocal of the devisor...

So m/s^2, can become ms^-2, so its including the "per" (i.e. the
division operation) into the exponent.


--
Cheers,

John.

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