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If I rewrite an equation

$$\sqrt{a} + b = 10$$

to

$$a = 100 - 20b + b^2,$$

how would I call that transformation to explicitly express $a$?

  • 0
    Is "solving for $a$ and expanding the square using the binomial theorem" precise enough for your needs?2011-05-11
  • 2
    I think "solving for a" is what I was looking for. Can you make that an answer? :)2011-05-11
  • 1
    One could also say you're *isolating* $a$.2012-07-27

2 Answers 2

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Reposting my comment on the OP's request:

Is "solving for $a$ and expanding the square using the binomial formula" precise enough for your needs?

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    *Just* solving for $a$, without any other transformation, would be $a = (10 - b)^2$.2011-05-12
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    @Kevin: Thanks for pointing this out.2011-05-12
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What about 'isolating'? Or 'extricating'?

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    'isolating' was already suggested in the comments.2013-02-14