How Do You Solve a Formula For a Variable?

How Do You Solve a Formula For a Variable?

Note:

So you're working on a math problem and you have the correct formula. Great! But the variable you need to solve for is not by itself in the formula. Not so great. Don't worry! In this tutorial, you'll learn how to solve a formula for the variable you want!

Keywords:

  • formula
  • solve
  • variable
  • isolate

Background Tutorials

  • Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.

  • Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.

      • What's the Division Property of Equality?What's the Division Property of Equality?

      What's the Division Property of Equality?

      Solving equations can be tough, especially if you've forgotten or have trouble understanding the tools at your disposal. One of those tools is the division property of equality, and it lets you divide both sides of an equation by the same number. Watch the video to see it in action!

  • Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same reasoning as in solving equations.

      • What is a Literal Equation?What is a Literal Equation?

      What is a Literal Equation?

      A literal equation is an equation where variables represent known values. Literal equations allow use to represent things like distance, time, interest, and slope as variables in an equation. Using variables instead of words is a real time-saver! Learn about literal equations with this tutorial.

      • How Do You Solve for a Variable in Terms of Another Variable?How Do You Solve for a Variable in Terms of Another Variable?

      How Do You Solve for a Variable in Terms of Another Variable?

      Got an equation with two variables? Want to solve for one variable in terms of the other? Want to go the other way around? See how in this tutorial!

  • Explain each step in solving a simple equation as following from the equality of numbers asserted at the previous step, starting from the assumption that the original equation has a solution. Construct a viable argument to justify a solution method.

      • What are Inverse Operations?What are Inverse Operations?

      What are Inverse Operations?

      Did you know that addition is the opposite of subtraction and that division is the opposite of multiplication? In fact, these opposite operations will undo each other! These types of operations are called inverse operations. Get a great look at inverse operations with this tutorial!