Solve for Y in Terms of X?
According to the University of Regina, another way to express solving for y in terms of x is solving an equation for y. The solution is not a numerical value; instead, it is an expression equal to y involving the variable x. An example problem given by the University of Regina is 8 + 5x = 9 – 4y.
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Put the y variable on the left side of the equation, and the x variable on the right
With the example 8 + 5x = 9 – 4y, place the y variable on the left side and the x variable on the opposite side. To do so, first add 4y to each side of the equation. It is important to do the same operation on each side to keep the equation equal. Next, subtract 5x from each side. The equation that is left is 4y + 8 = 9 – 5x.
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Remove the constants from the left side
To solve for y in terms of x, the y variable must be alone on the left side of the equation. In the sample problem, subtract 8 from each side. The equation then becomes 4y = 1 – 5x.
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Isolate y on the left side of the equation
The equation is now 4y = 1 – 5x. However, y must be alone in order for the equation to be solved for y. Divide each side by 4 to make y appear alone on one side of the equation. The equation then becomes y = (1 – 5x) / 4. Because y is isolated, the equation is now solved for y in terms of x.
