Rewriting Literal Equations and Formulas

A literal equation is an equation that contains two or more variables.
A variable can be solved in terms of the other variable(s) by using properties of equality to isolate it.
Rewriting $3y + x = 9$ for $y$ :
- Apply the Subtraction Property of Equality: $3y = 9 - x$
- Apply the Division Property of Equality: $y = 3 - \frac{1}{3}x$

A formula is a literal equation demonstrating how one variable relates to one or more other variables.
Triangle area formula ( $A = \frac{1}{2}bh$ ) rewritten for $b$ :
- Apply the Multiplication Property of Equality: $2A = bh$
- Apply the Division Property of Equality: $b = \frac{2A}{h}$
Temperature conversion formula ( $C = K - 273.15$ ) rewritten for Kelvin $K$ :
- Apply the Addition Property of Equality: $K = C + 273.15$
Additional formulas involving literal equations:
- Energy: $E = mc^2$
- Volume of a rectangular prism: $V = \ell wh$
- Perimeter of a rectangle: $P = 2\ell + 2w$
- Ideal gas law: $PV = nRT$
- Surface area: $S = \pi r^2 + 2\pi rh$