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Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Solving Equations
To solve an equation, it is necessary to isolate the variable on one side of the equal sign (usually, but not necessarily, to the left.) The properties noted below will assist you as you do this work. Distributive property Addition property Subtraction property Division property Multiplication property = = = = = a(b + c) = ab + ac If a = b, then c + a = c + b If a = b, then c - a = c - b If a = b, then c a = c b If a = b, then c C (a) = c C (b)

Follow these steps: 1. If there are parentheses, perform the appropriate operations in order to remove them. 2. If there are fractions, multiply all terms on both sides of the equation by the common denominator, in order to cancel all denominators. 3. Combine any like terms appearing on each side of the equation. 4. Rewrite the equation with all terms containing the variable on one side of the equation and all terms not containing the variable on the other side of the equation by adding and/or subtracting terms as needed (see hint below.) 5. Complete the solution by multiplying on both sides by the reciprocal of the coefficient (or by dividing both sides of the equation by the coefficient) so that the variable is finally alone. HINT: First decide which term must be moved. After noting what operation is being performed on the term you want to eliminate, you must perform the opposite operation on that term. For example, if you want to eliminate a term that is being subtracted, then add it to both sides of the equation. Another way to look at this is to ask yourself, What do I have to combine with this term (the one you want to eliminate) to make zero? Remember to do it to both sides.

Some examples
25 = S - 5 25 + 5 = S - 5 + 5 30 = S S = 30 10 = 2R Add 5 to both sides to isolate S. The coefficient of S is positive one, so formula is solved. S is rewritten on left for convenience.

10 2 R = 2 2
5 = R R = 5 -5 = 5(3 - 2x)

Divide both sides by the coefficient of the variable R. Rewrite with R on the left.

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas -5 = 15 - 10x -5 +10x = 15 - 10x +10x -5 + 10x = 15 -5 + 5 + 10x = 15 + 5 10x = 20 Use the distributive property to remove parentheses. Add 10x to both sides to get the variable on the left. Add 5 to both sides to get the constants on the right. Divide both sides by the numerical coefficient.

Page 2

10x 20 10 = 10
x=2 7 + c2 = 107 7 - 7+ c2 = 107-7 c2 = 100
c 2 = 100 c = 10

Isolate c2 by subtracting 7 from both sides. Take the square root of both sides. Rewrite.

The ability to clear fractions in a linear equation is a very important skill. Study this example and use it as a model for simplifying these fearsome equations; you will find lots of them on this worksheet.
2 1 x = 10 x 3 6

Find the common denominator, in this case 6. Multiple each term by

6 2 6 1 6 ( ) x = 10( ) x ( ) 1 3 1 6 1
/ 2 / 6 6 1 6 ( ) x = 10( ) x ( ) / / 1 3 1 6 1
1 1 2 1

6 . 1

Simplify (cancel).

4 x = 60 1x 4 x + 1x = 60 1x + 1x 5x = 60

Clean up the equation by rewriting it. Add 1x to both sides to get the variable on one side and the constant on the other. Clean up the equation again by rewriting it. Divide both sides by the numerical coefficient.

5x 60 = 5 5
x = 12

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Page 3

Solving Practice
1. 3. 5. 7. 9.

P 8= 8

2. 4. 6. 8. 10.

x 7 = 17

1 w = 12 3 x + 1 = 8
9 x + 6 = 48 5 9m = 3

2 x 3 = 13 J = 20 5 8 x = 72 + 168

8 y = 35 + y

11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23.

0.7 y = 28
4x + 3 = 2x + 7

12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 22. 24.

5 w = 30 6
4 x 6 = 5x 10 3x 2 = 5x + 7

3k + 15 = 5k + 11

5 p 8 = 10 p 23
8 x + 5 = 4 x + 13 7m + 4 = 6m + 7 5x 4 = 2 x + 5

6 y + 12 = y + 17
11n + 3 = 10n + 11
9a 10 = 3a + 2

6n 8 = 2(2n 1)
1 1 w+ 8= w 6 4 2

25.

1 x + 8 = 15 2
3( x 4) = 2( x 2)
7 x 3( x 8) = 28

26.

27. 29. 31.

28. 30.

8.7 y = 3.9 y + 16.8

16 = 2( 2 x + 4)
32.

5(3 2 x ) = 5

3( x 1) = 18 2( x + 3)

33.

x+

1 x=8 4

34.

3y + 9 =

1 y 4

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas 35.

Page 4 36.

18

1 1 x= 4 2

1 1 20 x+ x= 3 2 3

37.

2 1 3 c+ c= 9 3 9
8 = 72 P

38.

1 1 H H=0 7 3
3P = 12 7

39.

40.

41.

1 2 x=9 x 4 3
21 p 33

42.

7 2 = 1 R R
5 m=9 3

43.

7=

44.

45.

5 11 p= 7 21

46.

2x = 18 3
P = 72 8

47.

7 = 8 p4
8 R =1 76
S= 1 1 1 + + 15 5 30

48.

49.

50.

1 6 r= 3 7 10 = 1 t 35 4B 8= B 6

51. 53. 55.

52. 54. 56.

7 = 21 Q
8 = 7 y+2

q 2 = 81
3 + x = 14

57.

7 + p 2 = 107
x2 + 1 = 5

58.

59.

60.

1 x=2 4

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Answers: 1. P = 16 6. x = 14/3 or 4.67 7. 11. y = 40 16. x = -9/2 or -4.5 21. m = 3 26. w = 56 31. x = 2 36. x = 8 41. x = 108/5 or 21.6 46. x = 27 51. S = 3/10 56. q = 9 2. w = 36 J = -100 12. w= 36 17. p = 3 22. a = 2 27. x = 8 32. x = 3 37. c = 3/5 or 0.6 42. r = -5 47. p =25/8or3.125 52. t = 350 57. p = 10 3. 8. 13. 18. 23. 28. 33. 38. 43. 48. 53. x = 24 m = -5/27 or -0.185 x=2 y=1 x=3 y =3.5 x = 32/5 or 6.4 H=0 p = -11 P = 576 Q = 1/3 or 0.333 4. 9. 14. 19. 24. 29. 34. 39. 44. 49. 54. 59. x = -9 x = 12 x=4 x=2 n=3 x=1 y = -36/11 or -3.27 P = 1/9 or 0.111 40. m = -27/5 or -5.4 r = -68 B=4 5. x = 8 10. y = 5 15. k= 2 20. n = 8 25. x = 14 30. x = -2 35. x = 70 p = 28 45. p = 11/15 or 0.733 50. r = 18/7 55. y =-22/7 or -3.14 60. x = 16

Page 5

58. x = 193

24 or 4.9

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Page 6

Solving Problems Using Equations

In the real world you will not be presented with equations to solve. Instead, you will be presented with a set of facts and be expected to solve the problem. Here is an explanation and some practice with solving problems using algebra. The problems following begin with simple situations and move to more complex ones. Try them all because the more you do this, the better you will be at it. Translating Words into Mathematical Symbols: Watch for key words or phrases that imply or suggest specific operations. For example: Addition: the sum of, plus, increased by, more than, added to, exceeds, longer, total, heavier, older, wider, taller, gain, greater than, more, expands, sum less than, decreased by, subtracted from, the difference between, diminished by, take away, reduced by, less, minus, shrinks, younger, lower, shorter, narrower, slower, loss

Subtraction:

Multiplication: times, multiply, of, the product of, multiplied by, and factor. Some words that imply multiplication may indicate a specific number. For example: twice (2 times), double (2 times), triple (3 times.) Division: divide, divided by, divided into, how big is each part, how many parts can be made from, reciprocal, per, and half of (which specifically indicates times or divided by 2.)

Practice restating these English phrases in mathematical expressions: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 4 more than a number a number increased by 6 5 decreased by a number 2 less than a number (Be careful! 2 less than means the 2 is subtracted from n.) double a number the reciprocal of a number

Answers:

1) n + 4 5) 2n

2) n + 6

3) 5 - n

4)

n-2

6) If the number is 4, for example, the reciprocal is 1/4.

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Page 7

Restating word problems as algebraic equations: Many word problems can be translated into equations and then solved. Please note: The words is (or some other to be verb) and equals can be translated into the symbol =. Here is an example and some practice to help you improve your skills in this area. Example: Eight less than three times a number equals five times the number. Find the number. Strategy: Let x be the unknown number. Translate each phrase into mathematical expressions and arrange them in horizontal fashion to represent the ideas in the English statement, then solve. Translate English to math: eight less than three times a number equals five times the number And then solve: 3x - 8 = 5x -8 = 2x Add negative 3x from both sides. -4 = x Divide both sides by 2. x = -4 Rewrite with x on the left. Practice restating and solving these word problems: 6) When a number is subtracted from 45, the result is 17. 7) The sum of 12, 23, and a third number is 52. 8) If a value is tripled, the result is 63. 9) How many shelves that are 3 feet long can be made from a board that is 12 feet long? 10) The sum of twice a number and 5 is 11. Find the number. 11) If 4 is subtracted from the product of 5 and a number, the result is 26. Find the number. 12) A new laser printer prints at a rate of 16 ppm (pages per minute.) This is four times the rate of the slower laser printer. Find the rate of the slower printer. -8 3x - 8 3x - 8 = 3x - 8 = 5x We have to subtract 8 from something. Subtract 8 from 3 times some unknown quantity. Well this is an easy one. Five times the same number (use the same variable.)

Answers: 1)

28

2) 17

3) 21

4) 4

5) 3

6) 6

7) 4 ppm

Formula Transformation
Solving new.wpd July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas

Page 8

Formula transformation refers to the process of rearranging a formula in order to isolate a designated variable. The process of rearranging the formula follows the same principles and steps as those for solving linear equations. Once again, you are asked to arrive at an equation that contains the designated variable (with an understood positive one numerical coefficient) on one side of the equal sign and everything else on the other. Study the examples below then work the practice problems on the reverse of this page. Solve for S: M=S-C M+C=S-C+C M+C=S S=M+C

Add C to both sides to isolate S. The coefficient of S is positive one, so the equation is solved. S is rewritten on left for convenience.

Solve for R:

I = PRT I PRT = PT PT I =R PT I R= PT
Solve for n: A = P(1 + ni) A = P + Pni A - P = P + Pni - P

Since we are solving for R, PT can be viewed as its coefficient. Divide both sides by the coefficient of the variable R.

Rewrite with R on the left.

Use the distributive principle to remove parentheses. Subtract P to isolate the term containing n. Divide both sides by Pi, the coefficient of n.

A P Pni = Pi Pi A P =n Pi A P n= Pi

Rewrite.

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas Solve for a

c2 = a 2 + b2

Page 9

c2 b2 = a2 + b2 b2

Isolate a2 by subtracting b2 from both sides. Take the square root of both sides.

c2 b2 = c2 b2 = a

a2

a = c2 b2

Rewrite.

Formula transformation exercises. Solve for the indicated variable. 1. v2 = v1 + at, for v1 I = (5300CE)/ d2 , for C 2. PV = RT, for T

3.

4. L = yd / mR , for R

5.

L = L0(1 + at), for a

6. A = 180 - (B + C), for B

7.

L = 3.14 (r1 + r2) + 2d, for r1

8. p - pa = dg(y2 - y1) , for y2

9.

A = (n1p1 + n2p2) / (n1 +n2) , for p1

10 f = (fsu) / (u + vs) , for vs

For the following transformation exercises, first re-arrange the formula, then solve for the unknown. 11. Solve

Q=

WL for T. Find T when Q = 250,W = 125, and L = 20. T

12.

Solve C = 2pr for r. Find r when C = 154 and p =

22 7

13.

Solve C =

5 ( F- 32o ) for F. Find F if C = 1000. 9

14.

Solve S = prs for s. Find s when S = 4352, p = 3.14, and r = 462.

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003

Solving Equations & Transforming Formulas 15. Solve i = prt for r. Find r when i = $80, p = $500, and t = 2 years.

Page 10

16.

Solve p = a+b+c for c. Find c when p = 100, a = 21, and b =17.

17.

Solve Q = 0.000477EIT for T. Find T when Q = 954, E = 1,000, and I = 20.

18.

Solve L = prA/180 for A. Find A when L = 314, r = 60, and p = 3.14.

19.

Solve T = 2B + pH for H. Find H when T = 860, B = 45, and p = 11.

20.

Solve C = pd for d. Find d when C = 120 feet and p = 3.14, to the nearest hundredth.

21.

Solve T =

1 ps + B for B. Find B when T = 580, p = 58, and s = 12. 2

ANSWERS 1.

v1 = v2 - at
r1 =

2.

T=

PV R

3.

C=

Id 2 5300 E

4.

R=
p1 =
13.

yd Lm

5.

a=

L Lo Lo t
10.

6.

B = 180 - A - C

7.

L 314 . r2 2d 314 .

8.

y2 =
R=

p pa + dgy1 dg
, R= 49 2 or 24.5

9.

An1 + An2 n2 p2 n1

f u fu vs = s f
14.

11.

T=

WL , T = 10 Q

12.

C 2

F=
T=

9 C + 32, F = 212 5
Q , T = 100 0.000477 EI

s=

S ,s 3 r

15.

i r= , r =.08 or 8% pt
A= 180 L , A = 300 r
19.

16.

c = p a b, c = 62

17.

18.

H=

T 2B , H = 70 p
B = 232

20.

d=

C , d = 38.22

21.

B= T

1 2t ps ps or B = , 2 2

Solving new.wpd

July 22, 2003