Basic Technical Mathematics, 11th Edition

1.11 Formulas and Literal Equations

• Formulas • Literal Equations • Subscripts • Solve for Symbol before Substituting Numerical Values

An important application of equations is in the use of formulas that are found in geometry and nearly all fields of science and technology. A formula (or literal equation) is an equation that expresses the relationship between two or more related quantities. For example, Einstein’s famous formula $E\hspace{0.17em}=\hspace{0.17em}m{c}^2$ shows the equivalence of energy E to the mass m of an object and the speed of light c.

Einstein published his first paper on relativity in 1905.

We can solve a formula for a particular symbol just as we solve any equation.

NOTE

[That is, we isolate the required symbol by using algebraic operations on literal ...