Literal Equations and Formulas

Literal Equations and Formulas

• Literal equations involve solving for a specific variable.

• Formulas are used to relate different quantities.

Example 1

• Problem: Jaleen needs to travel 6 miles to a lab in half an hour. What average speed must he maintain?

• Formula: $distance = Rate \times time$ or $d = rt$

• Solving for rate: $6 = R \times 0.5$

• $R = \frac{6}{0.5} = 12$ miles per hour

Example 2

• Problem: Framing a picture with a perimeter of 144 inches; the length is 40 inches. Find the width.

• Formula: $P = 2l + 2w$

• Isolate width: $P - 2l = 2w$

• $w = \frac{P - 2l}{2}$

Inequalities

• Rewrite the formula.