How do I solve the literal equation 1/r1 + 1/r2 = 1/R for R? Please help!
1/r1 + 1/r2 = 1/R
(r1+r2)/(r1*r2) = 1/R
(r1*r2)/(r1+r2) = R
To solve the literal equation 1/r1 + 1/r2 = 1/R for R, we need to follow a few steps:
Step 1: Simplify the equation
Start by multiplying all terms by the common denominator, which in this case is r1 * r2 * R. This will eliminate the fractions in the equation:
r2R + r1R = r1r2
Step 2: Combine like terms
Combine the terms with R on one side of the equation and the terms without R on the other side:
R(r2 + r1) = r1r2
Step 3: Isolate R
Divide both sides of the equation by (r2 + r1) to isolate R:
R = (r1r2) / (r2 + r1)
That's it! You have now solved the literal equation for R.
Remember to substitute the values of r1 and r2 into the equation to find the specific value of R.