Solving Literal Equations

I will be able to solve literal equations

for a specified variable.

Today’s Objective

How to Solve Literal Equations for a Specific Variable:

1. Identify the variable that you want to have alone.
2. Treat all other letters as if they were numbers.
3. Use all of the rules of algebra that you learned to solve equations in

the past.
• You may need to add the opposite of a variable to both sides of an

equation.

• You might have to multiply both sides by the reciprocal of the

variable. All rules of algebra apply.

4. Get the variable you want by itself on one side of the equation.

DEVELOP

DEVELOP: Error Analysis

Sandrea and Fernando are solving 4a - 5b = 7 for b.

Is either of them correct? Explain