Manipulating formulas

Manipulating formulas
Description
Exercise Name:	Manipulating formulas
Math Missions:	Algebra I Math Mission, Differential calculus Math Mission
Types of Problems:	2

The Manipulating formulas exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission and Differential calculus Math Mission. This exercise practices rewriting formulas in terms of one of the "lesser" on non-standard variables.

Types of Problems

There are two types of problems in this exercise:

1. Isolate the specified variable: This problem provides a formula with several different variables. The user is asked to solve for one of the variables and type the answer in the space provided.

   

   Isolate the specified variable

2. Rewrite the equation and find the intercept: This problem provides a function ${y}$ in terms of ${x}$. The user is asked to solve for ${x}$ in terms of ${y}$ and use this form to find the x-intercept of the equation.

   

   Rewrite the equation and find intercept

Strategies

Knowledge of the process for solving general linear equations would assist with accuracy and efficiency on this exercise.

1. The ${x}$ and ${y}$ intercepts are transposed via inversion (solving for ${x}$ in terms of ${y}$).
2. Once the equation is rewritten in the second type of problem, plug in ${y=0}$.

Real-life Applications

1. Linear equations, as the initial stage of polynomials, have many applications in several fields of study.
2. Equations show up in nearly every science or business class one is ever in.
3. Computers are also equation solvers. Computers were originally invented to solve equations over and over again instead of humans doing the calculations.