Equations with subscripts
Sometimes we’ll encounter subscripted variables. A subscripted variable is
just a variable that has a subscript attached to it, and a subscript is a small
number that comes just after, and at a lower level than the variable.
When to use subscripts
It’s really common to see subscripts in the sciences, like chemistry or
physics. Think about the chemical formula for water, H2O. The 2 that we
see on the H is a subscript.
In mathematics, we’ll often use subscripts to represent the same kind of
value for different subjects.
For instance, let’s say we’re working a problem where two people, Abigail
and Phoebe, are covering some distance at a particular rate of speed. We
essentially have four variables in this situation: Abigail’s distance, Phoebe’s
distance, Abigail’s rate, and Phoebe’s rate. Instead of using four variables
like v, x, y, and z, we can use more descriptive variables, along with
subscripts, to represent the four unknowns. Specifically, AD, PD, AR, and PR
would make a lot of sense.
Solving equations with subscripts
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Luckily, solving equations with subscripted variables isn’t any different
than solving equations with normal variables. In other words, we need to
think about a subscripted variable just like we would a normal variable.
Let’s do an example to get some practice with these.
Example
The pressure and volume of a gas are related according to the equation
P1V1 − P2V2 = 0, where P1 and V1 are the original pressure and volume, and
P2 and V2 are the new pressure and volume. If the original pressure is 1.4
the original volume is 210, and the new pressure is 28, what is the new
volume?
We know that P1 = 1.4, V1 = 210, and P2 = 28, so we can plug these values
into the equation relating these variables, and we get
P1V1 − P2V2 = 0
(1.4)(210) − (28)V2 = 0
Solve for new volume, V2, by simplifying the left side and then using
inverse operations to isolate V2.
294 − 28V2 = 0
294 − 28V2 + 28V2 = 0 + 28V2
294 = 28V2
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294 28V2
=
28 28
10.5 = V2
V2 = 10.5
Let’s try another example with subscripted variables.
Example
A car travels at a 50 mph for 125 miles, then speeds up and travels at a new
constant speed for another 153 miles. If the total time for the trip is 4.75
hours, how fast does the car go during the second part of the trip?
We’ll use an equation that relates distance, rate, and time for an object in
motion. The equation is
distance = rate × time
and tells us that multiplying how fast something is moving and the amount
of time it’s been moving is equal to the distance that it’s moved. We can
manipulate this equation to solve for any of the three values. For example,
we can divide both sides by rate to get an equation for time.
distance
time =
rate
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The total time for the trip (which we’ll call t) is the sum of the times for the
two parts. Let d1 and r1 be the distance and rate on the first part of the trip,
and let d2 and r2 be the distance and rate on the second part. If we divide
d1 by r1, we get the time for the first part; similarly if we divide d2 by r2, we
get the time for the second part. Therefore,
d1 d2
+ =t
r1 r2
Start by plugging in what we know, which is d1 = 125, r1 = 50, d2 = 153, and
t = 4.75.
125 153
+ = 4.75
50 r2
153
2.5 + = 4.75
r2
Use inverse operations to isolate r2.
153
2.5 − 2.5 + = 4.75 − 2.5
r2
153
= 2.25
r2
153
⋅ r2 = 2.25 ⋅ r2
r2
153 = 2.25r2
153 2.25r2
=
2.25 2.25
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68 = r2
r2 = 68
The car travels at 68 mph for the second part of the trip.
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