Solving Literal Equations Part 1

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Taught by YourMathGal
  • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
11978 views | 1 rating
Part of video series
Meets NCTM Standards:
Lesson Summary:

In this lesson, we learn how to solve literal equations where we isolate one variable in a formula that has other variables as well. The lesson covers examples involving formulas such as distance equals rate times time, interest equals principal times rate times time, perimeter formulas, and equations with multiple instances of the variable to be solved. By following a systematic process of isolating the variable and dividing by the coefficient, we can solve these equations and find the value of the unknown variable.

Lesson Description:

Part 1 of solving for one variable in a formula.

More free YouTube videos by Julie Harland are organized at http://yourmathgal.com

Questions answered by this video:
  • What is a literal equation in Algebra?
  • How do you solve for one variable in a formula?
  • How can you solve for t in d = rt?
  • If you know the rate and distance, how can you find the time?
  • How do you solve I = Prt for I?
  • How do you solve for w in the Geometry formula 2w + 2h + l = p?
  • How do you get r all by itself in the formula sr + tr = u?
  • How can you solve for a variable in a formula if it shows up twice?
  • How can you solve for m in the formula mn = p - mr?
  • Staff Review

    • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
    This lesson, although it may seem a bit basic, is quite challenging to many beginning Algebra students. You will learn in this lesson how to get one variable all by itself when given a formula. A couple of example formulas are shown and variables are solved for.