How do you solve for P in S=B+(1/2)Pl?

1 Answer
Mar 24, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, subtract color(red)(B) from each side of the equation to isolate the term containing P while keeping the equation balanced:

S - color(red)(B) = -color(red)(B) + B + (1/2)Pl

S - B = 0 + (1/2)Pl

S - B = (1/2)Pl

Next, multiply each side of the equation by color(red)(2) to eliminate the fraction while keeping the equation balanced:

color(red)(2)(S - B) = color(red)(2) xx (1/2)Pl

2(S - B) = cancel(color(red)(2)) xx (1/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2))))Pl

2(S - B) = Pl

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(l) to solve for P while keeping the equation balanced:

(2(S - B))/color(red)(l) = (Pl)/color(red)(l)

(2(S - B))/l = (Pcolor(red)(cancel(color(black)(l))))/cancel(color(red)(l))

(2(S - B))/l = P

P = (2(S - B))/l