Solve A = (1/2)bh for b

Step by step

The question

Question: solve for b in A = (1/2)bh.

We treat the other letters like numbers.

1 b on the left

b is on the right.

We swap the two sides, so b is on the left.

They are still equal.

2 Remove the fraction

There is a fraction: over 2.

Times 2 removes it.

We do it on both sides.

2/2 is 1.

The fraction is gone.

Now we have bh = 2A.

3 Remove the h

hb means h times b.

We want just b.

To remove times h, we divide by h.

We do it on both sides.

h divided by h is 1.

So just b is left.

So b = 2A over h.

4 Check

Let's check with numbers.

We pick A = 3, h = 2.

Our answer gives b = 3.

Now we put all the numbers into the start.

First the left side.

Now the right side.

Both sides are 3.

So our answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: b on the left.

Then: remove the fraction.

Then: remove the h.

Last: check.