2.7 Lesson: Literal Equations

​Solving Literal Equations

By Blake Jensen with Credit to McGraw Hill

Multiple Choice

True or False

Variables are numbers and must follow rules of math

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

When is a variable considered solved for?

• when it's isolated

• when you get a number for it

• if you simplify your equation

• Inverse operation

Math Response

Solve the following.

Write your answer as x=

3x = 18

Type answer here

Correct Answer: x=6

Deg^°

Rad

Math Response

Solve for "a" in the following

ab = c

Type answer here

Correct Answer: a=\frac{c}{b}

Deg^°

Rad

Solving for a variable means:
Isolate the variable

Solve 5a - 2b = 15 for a

1) When solving we don't need to get a value answer
2) Identify what is happening to the variable.

3) Write a sentence for the equation above.

Solve 5a - 2b = 15 for a

5 times a minus two b

If you write out the sentence happening to a, you can undo everything to 15

Let's make a sentence with 15 undoing everything happening to a using inverse operations. Start by undoing addition and subtraction

15 plus two b all divided by 5

When we have to undo division or multiplication, everything must be divided or multiplied.

Variables on both sides?

Get them on the same side first!

4p - 7r = 2p + 16z + 4r solve for p