X(t) = 5t^2 + 2t + 3

What are the units for 5? 2? 3?

5 answers

In a physics problem, the "t" represnts time, in any convenient units (usually seconds), and the coefficients (5,2,3 in this case) have diffent dimensions so that the productwith t^n has dimentions of length. The 5 in your equation would have dimensions of acceleration; the 2 would have dimensions of speed and the 3 would have dimensions of length.
so it would be m/(s^3) m/(s^2) and m?

I know acceleration is m/(s^2) not m/(s^3) but the 5 in the equation is 5t^3

So is my first guess right or second?
The first term in your equation is 5 t^2, not 5 t^3. The dimensions of the 5 would be m/s^2 if X is in meters and t is in seconds.
No on my packet it says X(t) = 5t^3 + 2t^2 + 3 so...
That is not what you first posted. It was
<<X(t) = 5t^2 + 2t + 3 >>

If it is 5t^3 + 2t^2 + 3, then you have to change the dimensions of the 5 and 2 to what you said.