Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including literal linear equations.
Solve a literal linear equation for a specified variable
Problem
Solve the literal linear equation \(y~=~mx~+~b\) for \(x\), assuming \(m~\ne~0\).
Big Picture
What this problem is really about
A literal equation is solved with the same balance principle as a numerical equation; the other letters simply act as given quantities. We’ll undo the addition around the target variable before undoing its multiplication, using the stated nonzero condition to justify division. Keeping the entire resulting difference grouped prevents only one term from being divided.
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