Lesson 3-8

Example 1 Solve an Equation for a Specific Variable 3m n Solve = k for m. 2 3m n =k Original equation 2 3m n Multiply each side by 2. 2 = 2(k) 2
3m n = 2k 3m n + n = 2k + n 3m = 2k + n Simplify. Add n to each side. Simplify. Divide each side by 3. Simplify.

3m 2k + n = 3 3 2k + n m= 3 2k + n The value of m is . 3

Example 2 Solve an Equation for a Specific Variable

Solve 6 ay = 4(a b) for a. 6 ay = 4(a b) 6 ay = 4a 4b 6 ay + ay = 4a 4b + ay 6 = 4a 4b + ay 6 + 4b = 4a 4b + ay + 4b 6 + 4b = 4a + ay 6 + 4b = a(4 + y) Original equation Distributive Property Add ay to each side. Simplify. Add 4b to each side. Simplify. Use the Distributive Property.

6 + 4b a (4 + y ) = Divide each side by 4 + y. 4+ y 4+ y 6 + 4b =a Simplify. 4+ y 6 + 4b The value of a is . Since division by 0 is undefined, 4 + y 0 or y -4. 4+ y

Example 3 Use a Formula to Solve Problems

The perimeter of a square field is given by the equation P = 2l + 2w, where P represents the perimeter, l represents the length of the field, and w represents the width of the field. a. Solve the formula for l. P = 2l + 2w Formula for perimeter P 2w = 2l + 2w 2w Subtract 2w from each side. P 2w = 2l Simplify.

P 2 w 2l = 2 2

Divide each side by 2.

P 2w =l 2 P 2w =l 2 220 2(50) =l 2 220 100 =l 2 120 =l 2

Simplify.

b. Find the length of a field that is 50 yards wide and has a perimeter of 220 yards. Formula for length P = 220, and w = 50 Multiply. Subtract.

60 = l Simplify. The length of a field that has a perimeter of 220 yards and a width of 50 yards has a length of 60 yards.

Example 4 Use Dimensional Analysis The formula C=2 r represents the circumference C of a circle with a radius r.
a. Solve the formula for r. Original formula C = 2 r

b. A round deck has a circumference of 40 feet. What is the radius in meters?

C 2r = 2 2 C =r 2

Divide each side by 2 . Simplify.

C =r 2 40ft =r 2
20 ft = r

Formula for r C = 40 ft Simplify. Convert feet to yards. The conversion factor is 1 yard = 3 feet. Multiply.

20 ft 1yd 0.9144m =r 1 3 ft 1 yd 18.288m =r 3

6.096 m = r Simplify. The deck has a radius of 6.096 meters.