2. Isolate the variable that you wish to solve for by
using the Multiplication
B. Examples - Solve for the specified variable.
1. I = prt; Solve for r
The variable term that contains the variable that we want to solve for is
already isolated on the right side, so we can move on to the next step . We
isolate the r on the right side by dividing both sides by pt:
2. P = a + b + c; Solve for b
We will subtract both a & c from both sides to isolate b on the right:
P − a − c = a − a + b + c − c
Answer: b = P − a − c
3. Ax + By = C; Solve for y
We begin by subtracting Ax from both sides to isolate the By term:
Ax − Ax + By = C − Ax
By = C − Ax
Now we divide both sides by B to isolate y on the left side:
4. Now you try one: A = p + prt; Solve for r Answer:
ab = d(a − c) Distribute
ab = ad − dc Subtract ad from both sides to get all the "a" terms together.
ab − ad = −dc Factor out the GCF on the left side.
a(b − d) = −dc Divided both sides by (b - d) to isolate a.