1. Lesson 3 Solving Literal Equations
Math and mETHODS
Lesson 3 Solving Literal Equations

2. Literal Equations
A literal equation is an equation that uses variables to represent known values.
Using algebra skills, literal equations can be rearranged to solve for any of the values that are in the equation.

3. Examples Solve D = m/V for the volume Solve D = m/V for the mass
Solve PV = nRT for the temperature
Solve PV = nRT for the pressure
V D = m V/V
V D/D = m/D
V = m/D
V D = m V/V
m = D V
PV/nR = nRT/nR
T = PV/nR
PV/V = nRT/V
P = nRT/V

4. Applying the skill
What is the mass of a piece of copper that has a volume of 8.9 cm³ ? (Density of copper is in the Reference Packet.)
What is the volume of a sample of sulfur dioxide that has mass of 26.2 g ? (Density of sulfur dioxide is in the Reference Packet.)
m = D V
m = (8.92 g/cm3)(8.9 cm3)
= 79 g
V = m/D
V = 26.2 g/2.92 g/L
= 8.97 L