This document provides guidance on solving physics problems involving motion in two dimensions. It advises that motion along the x-axis is independent of motion along the y-axis, to first solve for time if it is unknown, and that gravitational acceleration acts in the y direction by default while there is no acceleration in the x direction unless specified. It also instructs the reader to write down given information, identify the direction it applies to, and to isolate the unknown variable before substituting values.

1. X-motion is ALWAYS independent of Y-motion If you don’t know time (t), solve for it FIRST Why? Time is the same for both directions and will be the same in any equation A y = -9.81 m/s 2 (unless specified) A x = 0 m/s 2 (unless specified) Write down given information (and in what direction ISOLATE UNKNOWN VARIABLE FIRST BEFORE PLUGGING IN NUMBERS