Chapter 3

ALGEBRAIC FORMULAE
Variables and Constants

1. A variable is a symbol that represents one or more numerical values.

Therefore, a variable is used to represent a quantity whose value may
change or vary. For example, the height of students in a class.
2. A constant is a symbol that represents one fixed numerical value. For
example, the freezing point of water which is 0oC is a fixed value.

Variables are represented by letters. For example, the age of students can be
represented by the letter a.
Example 1:
Determine if each of the following quantities is a constant or a variable. If it is a
variable, represent it with a letter.
(a) Pocket money of students. (b) Sum of angles in a triangle. (c) Number of
students in a school.
Solution:
(a) Pocket money of students varies from student to student. Therefore, it is a variable and
can be represented by R.
(b) Sum of angles in a triangle is 180o which is a fixed value. Therefore, it is a constant.
(c) Number of students in a school changes when students leave the school or when new
students enroll in the school. Therefore, it is a variable and can be represented by m.
A variable may take any numerical value - integers, fractions or decimals (positive
or
negative).

Example 2:
State 3 possible values for each of the following variables.
(a) The number of diagonals in a polygon.
(b) The speed of a car.
Solution:
1. Let the number of diagonals in a polygon be M.
Triangle: M=0
Quadrilateral M = 2

2. Pentagon M=3

(b) The speed of a car varies. If the speed of a car is represented by t, then
possible values of t is any value from 0.
Formulae

1. A formula is an equation that shows the general relation between two or

more variables. For instance, A = lb is a formula for finding the area of a
rectangle.

2. We can write a formula based on a given statement using letter symbols to

represent variables.
Example 3:
Write a formula based on each of the following statements.
(a) Force, E, is the product of the mass, n, of a body and its
acceleration, a.
(b) Perimeter of a rectangle equals twice the sum of the length and the
breadth. (b) Let R = Perimeter of a rectangle,
E =nxa
Solution: l = length of the rectangle,
(a) Force = Mass x Accelerationb = breadth of the rectangle
Perimeter of rectangle - 2 (length x breadth)
3. We can also write a formula based on a given situation.
Example 4:

Razif uses 4 matchstick to form a square as shown. With 7 matchsticks, he can

form two squares. With 10 matchsticks, he can form three squares and so on.
Copy and complete the table below.

Find a formula connecting the number of squares and the number of

matchsticks.
Solution:
 1. The subject of a formula is a particular variable that is expressed in terms
of other
variable (s). For instance,

Notice that the variable A in the above formula is expressed in terms of the
variable m.
The letter A is referred to as the subject of the formula. Note that A is a linear
term with coefficient 1.
Example 5:
Identify the subject of each of the following
formulae.
(a) Z = lbh
Solution:
Example 6:
State whether the variable on the left hand side of each of the following
equations is the subject of the formula.
(a) G = na.

(b)

(c)
 Solution:
(a) G is the subject of the formula
(b)

(c)

1. Most formulae are given in standard form. However, for the purpose of a
particular problem the formula may be expressed differently. For instance,

2. We can express a specified variable as the subject of a formula using the

same procedures as those for solving equations as follows:
(i) Expressing a spescified variable as the subject of a formula involving one
of the basic operations (+, -, x, ÷)
Example 7:
Make the letter indicated in the brackets the subject of each of the following
formulae. (b) (c)
(a)
Solution:
(a)

(b)
(c)
(ii) Expressing a specified variable as the subject of a formula involving powers
or roots.
(a) For instance,
(b For instance,
)
Example 8:
Make the latter indicated in the brackets the subject of each of the following
formulae.
(a)
(b)

Solution:
(a) (b)
(iii) Expressing a specified variable as the subject of the formula involving
combination of the basic operations and power or roots.
Example 9:
Make the letter indicated in the brackets the subject of each of the following
formulae.

Solution:
 1. When can evaluate the subject of a formula by substituting values for
other variables in the formula.
Example 10:
If R = 2(l + w), find the value of R when l = 27 and w = 35.
Solution:

2. To evaluate a variable which is not the subject of the formula, we first

rearrange the formula to express that variable as the subject before substituting
any values.
Example 11:
Solution:
Example 12:

Solution:
Common Errors