We have an equation with three variables (L, R, and T). If we know the value of two of the variables, we can solve for the value of the third.

Equation showing L equals R squared times T raised to the fourth power.

If R is equal to two (R = 2) and T is equal to six (T = 6), what is the value of L?

Equation showing L equals R squared times T raised to the fourth power. When R is equal to 2 and T is equal to 6, L is equal to 5,184.

We can also describe the relationship between L, R and T in terms of proportions (if we change R and T, what will be the effect on R)?

We know that if R squared, or R × R, increases, so will R. Similarly, if T raised to the fourth power, or T × T × T × T, gets smaller, so will T. We can say that L is equal to R squared × T raised to the fourth, and L is proportional to R × T.

Equation showing L is proportional to R times T.



Worked example showing how to solve L-R-T equation defined above for T, and how to find a numerical value for T by assuming numerical values for L and R. If L equals 324 and R equals 9, then T equals the square root of 2.