Practical uses for Algebra


ALGEBRA
A branch of mathematics using symbols (or letters) to explore the relationships between numbers and the operations used to work with them.

PRACTICAL
Of, relating to, or shown in practice; capable of being put into use.

Here are some algebraic formulas that can be used to solve story problems relating to everyday situations:

To find the amount of interest earned or charged, use:
  • Interest=principal X rate X time

    • Interest, an amount of money that is charged by a bank for a loan, or money earned from an investment

    Principal, an amount of money which is either invested or borrowed

    Rate, stands for the annual interest rate

    Time, the amount of time the Principal was invested or borrowed (usually in years)

    If money is invested, money earned from that investment is called income earned

    To find the distance a vehicle has traveled, use the formula:
  • Rate X Time = Distance

    • The rate is usually expressed in miles per hour (mph) and the time is usually in hours. The distance is usually expressed in miles, but be sure to specify which unit of measure you are using when working your formulas so the answer appears in the correct unit.

    Oftentimes a thermometer will be in Celsius terms and you want to convert it to Fahrenheit. Use this simple formula to make the conversion:

  • Degrees in Celsius X 9/5 + 32 = Degrees in Fahrenheit

    • Most people don't believe algebra is used very often, but we use it every day in different applications, sometimes without even knowing it!

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