Why would you want to solve a literal equation for a variable when you could simply plug in known values and then solve the resulting linear equation?

Question

jamesj · Answer

For example?

ybarrap · Answer

Because you may want to use the solved literal equation that contains the variable for more than one case.

anonymous · Answer

Your question uses the expression "known values" plural; if you don't solve for the desired variable, then each time you substitute the given value(s), you will have to solve for the desired variable.

turingtest · Answer

Yes, to try to further explain, if you solve by plugging in the known values ahead of time you won't have a general formula  for the variable in the literal equation. Therefor if the known values change, you would have to start all over again, making each problem more individualized. Once the literal equation is solved for some variable, if the known values change all you have to do is plug in those new numbers to your literal equation, and out pops your answer.