10. SOLVING LITERAL
EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES
Literal Equations
A literal equation is an equation with more than
one variable.
Example:
Solve for t : p =
3t " q
r
Solve like a “normal” equation, treating all letters
other than the one you are solving for as if they
are numbers.
!
Examples
Solve for q :
Solve for t :
3t # q
r" p =
"r
r
rp = 3t # q
+q
+q
rp + q = 3t
3
3
rp + q
t=
3!
!
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!
3t # q
r" p =
"r
r
rp = 3t # q
#3t # 3t
rp # 3t = # q
q = "rp + 3t
Created by J. Shahom (March 2004)
Inequalities ( >, <, ", # )
Solve like an equation (pretend >, <, ", or # is
an
). The only difference is that if you multiply
!
or divide by a negative
number, the direction of
the inequality changes (ex: > becomes <).
=
!
Examples
Solve :
9# x
3"
$ 4"3
3
9 # x $ 12
#9
#9
#x $ 3
Solve :
x+5
3"
> 8" 3
3
x + 5 > 24
#5 #5
x > 19
x " #3
!
!
!
!
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Created by J. Shahom (March 2004)