ACT Math: Solving for One Variable in Terms of Another
In solving for variables there are two important things you need to remember.
Like terms means grouping the x’s together, the y’s together, the z’s together, and the real numbers together. The best way to learn is through examples, so here are a few question types to remember.
Basic Example
What is y in terms of x?
For something involving division and multiplication, try this.
What if you have to deal with roots and squares? The same concepts applies.
Fractions
If you found the stuff on top easy, good for you. Here’s another type of algebraic manipulation.
A common mistake students often make with this question is to see the 90 and 45 and assume that a/b as a fraction must be ½. Always work out the equation to the end.
Relating Equations
Sometimes, you might not have to solve for x or y first. Don’t always be in a hurry to cross multiply or isolate x. Look at the equations you’re given and you may find that a complicated equation is perhaps the product or the addition of 2 other equations.
Here’s a simple example:
You don’t have to find y = k – 4 and then plug that into 2y + 8. Don’t do more work than you have to.
Exponents
The last type of question deals with exponents. Whenever you see exponents, you generally want to try and make everything in the equation have the same base and then compare the exponents.
Here’s what I mean.