10-5 Solving for a Variable

Today I will solve an equation for a variable.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

If an equation contains more than one variable, you can sometimes isolate one of the variables by using inverse operations. You can add and subtract any variable quantity on both sides of an equation.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 1A: Solving for a Variable by Addition or Subtraction

Solve for the indicated variable.

A. Solve a b + 1 = c for a. ab+1=c

+b1
a

+b1
=c+b1

Add b and subtract 1 from both sides. Isolate a.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 1B: Solving for a Variable by Addition or Subtraction Solve for the indicated variable. B. Solve a b + 1 = c for b. ab+1=c Subtract a and 1 from both a 1 a 1 sides. b =ca1 Isolate b. 1 (b) = 1 (c a 1) Multiply both sides by 1. b = c + a + 1 Isolate b.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 1A

Solve for the indicated variable.

A. Solve y b + 3 = c for y. yb+3=c

+b3
y

+b3
=c+b3

Add b and subtract 3 from both sides. Isolate y.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 1B Solve for the indicated variable. B. Solve p w + 4 = f for w. pw+4=f Subtract p and 4 from both p 4 p 4 sides. w =fp4 Isolate w. 1 (w) = 1 (f p 4) Multiply both sides by 1. w = f + p + 4 Isolate w.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

To isolate a variable, you can multiply or divide both sides of an equation by a variable if it can never be equal to 0. You can also take the square root of both sides of an equation that cannot have negative values.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 2A: Solving for a Variable by Division or Square Roots Solve for the indicated variable. Assume all values are positive. A. Solve A = s2 for s. A = s2 A = s2 A = s Take the square root of both sides. Isolate s.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 2B: Solving for a Variable by Division or Square Roots Solve for the indicated variable. Assume all values are positive. B. Solve V = IR for R. V = IR V = IR I I V= R I Divide both sides by I. Isolate R.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 2C: Solving for a Variable by Division or Square Roots C. Solve the formula for the area of a trapezoid for h. Assume all values are positive. A= 1 2 h (b 1 + b 2 ) 1 2 A = 2 2 h (b 1 + b 2 ) 2A = h(b1 + b2) 2A = h (b 1 + b 2 ) (b 1 + b 2 ) (b 1 + b 2 ) 2A =h (b 1 + b 2 )
Course 3

Write the formula.

Multiply both sides by 2.

Divide both sides by (b1 + b2). Isolate h.

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 2A Solve for the indicated variable. Assume all values are positive. A. Solve w = g2 + 4 for g. w = g2 + 4 4 4 w 4 = g2 Subtract 4 from both sides. Take the square root of both sides. Isolate g.

w 4 = g2
w4=g
Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 2B Solve for the indicated variable. Assume all values are positive. B. Solve A = lw for w. A = lw A = lw l l A= w l Divide both sides by l. Isolate w.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 2C Solve for the indicated variable. Assume all values are positive. C. Solve s = 180(n 2) for n. s = 180(n 2) s = 180(n 2) 180 180 s = (n 2) 180 +2 s +2=n 180
Course 3

Divide both sides by 180.

+2

Add 2 to both sides.

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Remember! To find solutions (x, y), choose values for x substitute to find y.

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 3: Solving for y and Graphing Solve for y and graph 3x + 2y = 8.

3x + 2y =
3x 3x

8
x y

2y = 3x + 8 2y= 3x + 8 2 2 y = 3x + 4 2

2 0 2 4

7 4 1 2

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Additional Example 3 Continued

3x + 2y = 8

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 3 Solve for y and graph 4x + 3y = 12.

4x + 3y =
4x 4x

12
x 3 y 8

3y = 4x + 12 3y= 4x + 12 3 3 y = 4x + 4 3

0 3 6

4 0 4

Course 3

10-5 Solving for a Variable

Try This: Example 3 Continued
y 10 8 6 4 2 4 2 2 4 6 2 4 6

4x + 3y = 12
x

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10-5 Solving Insert Lesson for a Variable Title Here

Lesson Quiz: Part 1 Solve for the indicated variable. 1. P = R C for C. C=R-P 2. P = 2l+ 2w for l. P 2w= l 2 3V = h 3. V = 1 Ah for h. 3 A 4. R = C S for S. C Rt = S t

Course 3

10-5 Solving Insert Lesson for a Variable Title Here

Lesson Quiz: Part 2

5. Solve for y and graph 2x + 7y = 14.

y = 2x + 2 7

Course 3