Algebra I Recipe: Literal Equations (Formulas)

By G Redden

Solving Literal Equations

Follow the same steps for solving equations as in the lesson Sec. 3.3.
Letter(s) not being solved for get treated like actual numbers.
The value of the variable being solved for is not a numerical value but an algebraic expression.

solve for r: r - s = t

solve for x: ax + b = c

solve for y: 3y = x

solve for y: x = ½(y + 4)

solve for r: C = 2pr

solve for h: V = (1/3)pr²h

solve for b: A = ½bh

solve for b₂: A = ½(b₁ + b₂)h

Practice Problems