Basic HTML Version
Q
uantitative
R
easoning &
P
roblem
S
olving
96
© 2014 Pacific Crest
P
lan
How to complete the activity
1. Answer the Critical Thinking Questions
2. Complete the remainder of this activity (from Demonstrate Your Understanding through Assessing
Your Performance) on your own, or as directed by your instructor.
M
odel(s)
Exemplars and representations
M
odel
1: I
solating
a
V
ariable
in
a
L
iteral
E
quation
Scenario:
Solve the literal equation for the variable
y
2
: 3
y
2
–
ay
2
= 7
ax
– 5 + 4
ax
Step
Model
1. Pick a side for the variable
2
2
3
7 5 4
y ay ax
ax
− = − +
(left side)
2. Move the constants
done
3. Move all variable terms to the isolation side
done
4. Combine like terms and simplify
2
(3 )
11 5
a y
ax
− = −
5. Divide by the coefficient
2
11 5
3
ax
y
a
−
=
−
6. Validate
2
2
3
7 5 4
11 5
11 5
3
11 5
3
3
(3 )
y ay ax
ax
ax
ax a
ax
a
a
a
− = − +
−
−
−
= −
−
−
−
11 5
3
ax
a
−
−
11 5
11 5 11 5
3
3
ax
ax
ax
a
a
= −
−
−
=
−
−