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Algebraic Manipulation PDF
Algebraic Manipulation PDF
2
Maths for Physics I - Algebraic Manipulation Physics Factsheet
2. Equations with Squares and Square Roots Example 1: Make x the subject of ax + b = d - fx
If the letter that you want to make the subject of the equation is squared or
square rooted, you need to do the following: First we get all the terms containing x Tip: It's usually easier to
1. Get the part that is squared/ square-rooted on its own (careful! ax2 onto one side - we add fx to both sides: get the x's onto the side
means just the x is squared). ax + b + fx = d where they are positive.
2. Get rid of the square/ square-root by doing the opposite to the whole
of both sides of the equation Now we get rid of the terms not involving x from the left hand side -
3. Then rearrange as necessary. we subtract b from both sides:
ax + fx = d − b
k
Example 1: Make m the subject of the equation: ω =
m Now we take x out as a common factor on the left hand side:
x(a + f) = d − b.
We already have the square-rooted part on its own, so we now do the
opposite of square-rooting - we square both sides:
k Now we divide by the bracket next to the x:
2
ω = d −b
m x= Tip: Do NOT try to simplify algebraic
a+ f fractions unless there is a common
Multiply by m to get rid of the denominator:
mω2 = k factor on the top & bottom.
Divide by ω2 to get m on its own:
k
m= 2
ω
Tip: We can't
subtract the v, since
uv
Example 2: Make u the subject of the equation: v2 = u2 + 2as Example 2: Make u the subject of f = it's in a fraction.
u+v
aX + bX = (a + b)X2 aX + bX = (a + b)X Having two X’s doesn’t mean you have to multiply them to get X2...
aX + bX = 2X(a + b) aX + bX = (a + b)X ... nor do you add them to get 2X as if the a and the b were irrelevant.
Example 1. Solve the equation 8 + 2x = 6 − 3x a) Rearrange this equation into a suitable form for calculating
resistivity.
Since x occurs in two places, we need to get all the x terms on one side,
and everything else on the other side: b) A piece of wire has resistivity 0.00024 Ωm, resistance 6Ω and
Add 3x: length 0.5 metres
8 + 2x + 3x = 6 Calculate its radius.
Subtract 8: Solutions
2x + 3x = 6 − 8
1. a) 2ab + 2a – 3b b) 8x2 – x + 5 c) 6a2
Simplify: d) 4e5 e) 6a2b f) 2x
5x = - 2 3b a+b
g) h)
c c-b
Divide by 5:
x = -0.4 2. a) 6a – 3ab b) 3x2 – 4x c) -8y – 20y2
d) -12a2b + 3a3 2
e) x – x - 6 f) 2x2 – 19x + 35
g) -28x2 – x + 2 h) 2x3 + 5x2 + 4x + 10
r
Example 2: Solve the equation 4 = 3. a) 2(3x – 2) b) x(2x – 5) c) 2x(3 – 2x)
r 2 d) 7a(b – 3) e) πr(r + 2L) f) 4ab(2a + 3b)
Cross multiply: g) ac(b – d) h) 8x3(3 – 4x)
4× 2 = r× r
1
u = s - at GMm
2
Simplify: 4. a) t 2 b) m = Fr c) r=
GM F
8 = r2
Q gT2 2 - 3y
d) t= e) t = 2 f) x=
I 4p y +1
To get rid of the square, square- root:
r =√ 8=2. 83 (3 SF)
h) v = √(u2 + 2as)
R 2R
g) R 1 =
R2 - R
Questions RA
5. a) r =
L
1. Simplify the following as far as possible rL
a) 3ab + 2a – 3b – ab b) 2x2 + 3x – 4x + 5 + 6x2 b) A =
R
⇒ A = 0.000002 m2
c) 2a × 3a d) e2 × 4e3 A = πr2 ⇒ 0.000002 = πr2 ⇒ r = 7.98 × 10-4 m
2x 2
e) 3ab × 2a f)
x
6ab a+b
g) h) c-b Related "Maths for Physicists" Factsheets
2ac
• Numerical Calculations & Data Handling
2. Multiply out the following brackets, and simplify the answer as far • Numerical Calculations & Units
as possible • Indices
a) 3a(2 – b) b) x(3x – 4) c) -4y(2 + 5y)
• Exponentials and Logs
d) -3a2(4b – a) e) (x + 2)(x − 3) f) (2x – 5)(x – 7)
g) (1 – 4x)(2 + 7x) h) (x2 + 2)(2x + 5)
• Further Algebraic Manipulation
• Geometry
3. Factorise the following • Graphs 1
a) 6x – 4 b) 2x2 – 5x c) 6x – 4x2 • Graphs 2
d) 7ab – 21a e) πr2 + 2πrL f) 8a2b + 12ab2 • Graphs 3
g) abc – cad h) 24x3 - 32x4
4. Rearrange each of the following to make the letter indicated the Further Practice
subject • Any GCSE Mathematics Higher Tier textbook will provide further
GMm practice on rearranging and solving equations.
a) s = ut + ½ at2 u b) F = m
r2
Q Acknowledgements:
GMm
c) F = r d) I = t t This Physics Factsheet was researched and written by Cath Brown
r2 The Curriculum Press,Unit 305B, The Big Peg,120 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6NF
L 2-x
e) T = 2p g
Physics Factsheets may be copied free of charge by teaching staff or students, provided that
L f) y = x
3+ x their school is a registered subscriber.
No part of these Factsheets may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
1 1 1
g) R = R 1 + R 2 R1 h) 2as = v2 – u2 v in any other form or by any other means, without the prior permission of the publisher.
ISSN 1351-5136