Literal Equations

Front

What is a literal equation?

Back

A literal equation is an equation that involves two or more variables. It is often solved for one variable in terms of the others.

Front

How do you isolate a variable in a literal equation?

Back

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side.

Front

Solve for s: -2 = 4r + s

Back

s = -2 - 4r

Front

Given mx + 4y = 3t, solve for x.

Back

x = \frac{3t - 4y}{m}

Front

Solve for a: u = \frac{ak}{b}

Back

a = \frac{ub}{k}

Front

Solve for x: x = by + v

Back

x = by + v

Front

Solve C = \frac{5}{9}(F - 32) for F.

Back

F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32

Front

What is the first step in solving a literal equation?

Back

The first step is to identify which variable you need to isolate and then determine the operations needed to isolate it.

Front

What does it mean to rearrange an equation?

Back

Rearranging an equation means changing the order of the terms or the form of the equation to isolate a specific variable.

Front

If you have the equation 2x + 3 = 7, how do you solve for x?

Back

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = 4, then divide by 2 to find x = 2.