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2-8 Study Guide and Intervention

Literal Equations and Dimensional Analysis
Solve for Variables Sometimes you may want to solve an equation such as V = wh for
one of its variables. For example, if you know the values of V, w, and h, then the equation
V
=− is more useful for finding the value of . If an equation that contains more than one
wh
variable is to be solved for a specific variable, use the properties of equality to isolate the
specified variable on one side of the equation.

Example 1 Solve 2x - 4y = 8, for y. Example 2 Solve 3m - n = km - 8, for m.

2x - 4y = 8 3m - n = km - 8
3m - n - km = km - 8 - km
2x - 4y - 2x = 8 - 2x
3m - n - km = - 8
-4y = 8 - 2x 3m - n - km + n = - 8 + n
-4y 8 - 2x 3m - km = -8 + n
−=−
-4 -4 m(3 - k) = -8 + n
8 - 2x 2x - 8 m(3 - k)-8 + n
y=− or − −=−
-4 4 3 -k 3-k

Lesson 2-8
2x - 8 -8 + n n-8
The value of y is − . m = − or −
4 3-k 3-k
n-8
The value of m is − . Since division by 0 is
3-k
undefined, 3 - k ≠ 0, or k ≠ 3.
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Exercises
Solve each equation or formula for the variable indicated.

1. ax - b = c, for x 2. 15x + 1 = y, for x 3. (x + f ) + 2 = j, for x

4. xy + w = 9, for y 5. x(4 - k) = p, for k 6. 7x + 3y = m, for y

7. 4(r + 3) = t, for r 8. 2x + b = w, for x 9. x(1 + y) = z, for x

h(a + b)
10. 16w + 4x = y, for x 11. d = rt, for r 12. A = − , for h
2

5
13. C = − (F - 32), for F 14. P = 2 + 2w, for w 15. A = w, for 
9

Chapter 2 49 Glencoe Algebra 1

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2-8 Study Guide and Intervention (continued)

Literal Equations and Dimensional Analysis
Use Formulas Many real-world problems require the use of formulas. Sometimes solving
a formula for a specified variable will help solve the problem.

Example The formula C = πd represents the circumference of a circle, or the

distance around the circle, where d is the diameter. If an airplane could fly around
Earth at the equator without stopping, it would have traveled about 24,900 miles.
Find the diameter of Earth.

C = πd Given formula
C
d=−
π Solve for d.

24,900
d=− Use π = 3.14.
3.14
d ≈ 7930 Simplify.

The diameter of Earth is about 7930 miles.

Exercises
1. GEOMETRY The volume of a cylinder V is given by the formula V = πr2h, where r is
the radius and h is the height.

a. Solve the formula for h.

Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

b. Find the height of a cylinder with volume 2500π cubic feet and radius 10 feet.

2. WATER PRESSURE The water pressure on a submerged object is given by P = 64d,

where P is the pressure in pounds per square foot, and d is the depth of the object
in feet.

a. Solve the formula for d.

b. Find the depth of a submerged object if the pressure is 672 pounds per square foot.

3. GRAPHS The equation of a line containing the points (a, 0) and (0, b) is given by the
x y
a + − = 1.
formula −
b
a. Solve the equation for y.

b. Suppose the line contains the points (4, 0), and (0, -2). If x = 3, find y.

4. GEOMETRY The surface area of a rectangular solid is given by the formula

x = 2w + 2h + 2wh, where  = length, w = width, and h = height.

a. Solve the formula for h.

b. The surface area of a rectangular solid with length 6 centimeters and width
3 centimeters is 72 square centimeters. Find the height.

Chapter 2 50 Glencoe Algebra 1