Solve the formula

Question

I need to solve the formula but I don't know how to Z=x-m/a

solve for x

Answer 1

It's not clear whether the equation in question is   Z = (x - m)/a   OR   Z = x - (m/a).

In the case of the former, multiply both sides of the equation by 'a' then add 'm' to both sides of the equation:

               Z = (x - m)/a

         a·(Z) = a·((x - m)/a)

             Za = x - m

    (Za) + m = (x - m) + m

      Za + m = x

In the case of the later, you would first need to manipulate the x to get a common denominator on the right hand side of the equation then solve for x:

          Z = x - (m/a)                

          multiply x by a/a to get a common denominator

          Z = x·(a/a) - (m/a)        

          Z = (xa/a) - (m/a)

          Z = (xa - m)/a     

         multiply both sides of the equation by a

         Za = xa - m           

         add m to both sides of the equation

         Za + m = xa                 

        divide both sides of the equation by a

        (Za + m)/a = x

Answer 2

Hi Tyler,

To isolate x (i.e. to remove everything else on the right side of the equation), you need to add m/a. This is because x-m/a+m/a = x. But remember that what you do on one side of the equation must be done on the other side to keep the equation valid:

Z = x - m/a
+m/a    +m/a   Add m/a on both sides
Z+m/a = x

Hope that makes sense! Please let me know if you have any further questions.