Literal Equations Calculator – Solve for Any Variable
Solve literal equations for any variable.
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter your equation using the format: left side = right side
- Specify which variable you want to solve for
- Click calculate to see the rearranged equation
- Review the solution steps to understand the process
What are Literal Equations?
Literal equations are equations that contain two or more variables. They are often formulas used in science, engineering, and mathematics. Solving a literal equation means rearranging it to isolate one specific variable.
Common examples include: A = πr² (area of circle), d = rt (distance formula), and F = ma (Newton's second law).
How to Solve Literal Equations
- Identify the variable you want to isolate
- Use inverse operations to move other terms to the opposite side
- Addition/subtraction: move terms by doing the opposite operation
- Multiplication/division: isolate the variable by dividing or multiplying
- Keep the equation balanced by performing the same operation on both sides
Common Literal Equations
| Formula | Name | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| A = lw | Area of rectangle | A = area, l = length, w = width |
| P = 2l + 2w | Perimeter of rectangle | P = perimeter, l = length, w = width |
| I = Prt | Simple interest | I = interest, P = principal, r = rate, t = time |
| C = 2πr | Circumference | C = circumference, r = radius |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between literal equations and regular equations?
- Regular equations typically have one variable and you solve for a numerical answer. Literal equations have multiple variables and you solve for one variable in terms of the others, resulting in a formula rather than a number.
- Can I solve any literal equation for any variable?
- You can solve for any variable that appears in the equation, as long as the equation is linear in that variable. Equations where the variable appears with different powers may have multiple solutions or require more advanced techniques.
- Why are literal equations useful?
- Literal equations let you rearrange formulas to find different quantities. For example, if you know the area and length of a rectangle, you can solve A = lw for w to find the width.