1. I can solve for a specific unknown variable.
Literal Equations
I can solve for a specific unknown variable.

2. Find the Area of the given rectangle.
What information do you need to find the area?
10 ft
You need:
The formula for area of a rectangle
Identify the Length
Identify the Width
6 ft
A = LW
L = 6
W = 10
Now substitute what you know in to the formula.
A = 6(10)
A = L W
A = 6 W
A = 60 ft2

3. Find the Length of the Given rectangle
What information do you need to find the length?
You need:
The formula for area of a rectangle
Identify the Length
Identify the Width
7 ft
Unknown
A = 91 ft2
A = LW
L = unknown
W = 7
Now substitute what you know in to the formula.
91= L 7
91= L W
A = L W
91= L W 7 7
91= L
Reduce, if possible
13= L 7

4. “isolating the variable”
What do you do if you aren’t given any numbers, but you are still asked to solve for a specific variable? W
Solve for W in this equation.
You need:
The formula for area of a rectangle
Identify the Length
Identify the Width L A
A = LW
Solve for W in this equation. L
A = LW
A = LW W
L L
Your science teacher will call this—
“isolating the variable”
A = W L

5. 2(x -1) = -4 a(x -b) = c 2x – 2 = -4 ax – ab = c + 2 +2 + ab + ab
Solve for x.
2(x -1) = -4
a(x -b) = c
2x – 2 = -4
ax – ab = c
+ ab + ab
2x = -2
ax = c + ab
a a
x = -1
x = c + ab a

6. ( ( ( ( x + 5 = 7 (4) x + a = c ( )b b 4 b 4 x + 5 = 28 x + a = c b
Solve for x. ( (
x = 7
(4)
x + a = c
( )b b ( 4 ( b 4
x = 28
x + a = c b
-a a
x = 23
x = c b - a
x = bc - a

7. y = 3x – 7 (x) y = 3x – 7 (x) y + 7 = 3x y + 7 = 3x 3 3 y + 7 = x 3
Solve for the indicated variable in parenthesis.
y = 3x – (x)
y = 3x – (x)
y + 7 = 3x
y + 7 = 3x
y + 7 = x 3

8. Solve for the indicated variable in parenthesis.
E = mc2
E = mc (m) c2 c2
E = m c2

9. 3x + 2y = 8 3x + 2y = 8 (y) -3x -3x 2y = 8 – 3x 2 2 y = 4 – 3x 2
Solve for the indicated variable in parenthesis.
3x + 2y = 8
3x + 2y = (y)
-3x x
2y = 8 – 3x
y = 4 – 3x 2

10. Assignment Literal Equations worksheet I can solve for a specific
unknown variable.