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.