Furtherallealbiaic exessiens

18 and fonmulae

• Understand that a situation can be represented either in words or as an

algebraic expression, and move between the two representations (including
squares, cubes and roots).
• Understand that a situation can be represented either in words or as a
formula (including squares and cubes), and manipulate using knowledge of
inverse operations to change the subject of a formula.

You will already have encountered a lot of situations involving the

use of algebra. These included algebraic expressions, formulae and
equations.
This unit will look in particular at hardercases of algebraic
expressions and formulae, whilst harder equations are covered in
more depth in Unit 20 of this book.

Algebraic expressions
Worked examples

1 a Write an expression for the area of the triangle shown.

Remember that an
algebraic expression is
;x+2 simply a mathematical
statement. It has no
equals sign.
X+4
The formula for the area (A) of a triangle is A =x basex height.

A=}u+4)r+2)
-+6r+8)
-r+3r+4
Therefore, the expression for the areais r+3x+4.

145

Created with Scanner Pro

 SECTION 2
... ee......

You will already have come across a number of different formulae.

LET'S TALK
These include:
What are these
formulae used for?
A=nr A=ža+b) C= nD V=
In each case the letters represent different variables and the formula
LET'S TALK
shows the way the variables are related.
Can you think of In the way they have been written above, one letter is on one side of
other formulae the equals sign on its own. This letter is known as the subject of the
you have used?
formula.
However, often formulae need to be rearranged in order to make a
different variable the subject of the formula. Being able to do this is
an essential mathematical skill.

Worked example
A formula linking the variables a, b and c is given as a=
a Rearrange the formula to make b the subject.
To answer this it is often useful to look at the variable required and, using BIDMAS, work out
which mathematical operations are being used.
In this case a function machine would look as follows:

A function
b- Square Subtract c Divide by 2
machine is not
usually needed.
To make b the subject, work through the function machine in reverse It is used here
and carry out the inverse operations, i.e. to demonstrate
the order of
b Square root Add c Multiply by 2 operations.

Applying these operations to both sides of the formula leads to the following:

a=bc
2 KEY INFORMATION
2a = b² -c Multiply by 2. The subject of the formula is on its own on
2a+c= b² Add c.
one side with everything else on the other
side. The subject can be on its own on the
V2a+c =b Square root. left or on the right.
b Calculate the value of b when a =9 and c= 7.
b=\2x9+7 = V25
=5

148

Created with Scanner Pro

 18 Further algebraic expressions and formulae
.... .

Exercise 18,2

ARearrangeeach of the following formulae to make the variable in red the subject.
a=2b+c m=5(1+6) a=bc-d

b x--4 d p=-9 I m=2n-p h y= 2

Euler's formula gives the relationship between the number of faces (F),
vertices (V) and edges (E) of a polyhedron. KEY
Itstatesthat F+ V -E=2. INFORMATION
a i) Rearrangethe formula to make V thesubject. A polyhedron is a
ii) Use the formula to calculate the number of vertices 3D shape in which
a polyhedron has when E =9 and F=5. all of the faces are
iii) Sketcha possible polyhedron with theseproperties. polygons.
b A polyhedron has 10 faces and 16 vertices.
Give a reasoned argument why it cannot have 20 edges.
3 Acuboidhasdimensionsasshown.
a Write a formula in terms of l for the volume () of thecuboid.
b i) Rearrange the formula to make l the subject.
ii) Calculate the lerngth of each of the sides
whenV =381 cm. h
25 2/

4a Explain why the volume () of a cylinder is given by the formula V = Arl, where r is the
radius of the constant cross-section and l is the length.

b Calculate the volume when r=6 cm and l=12 cm.

c i) Rearrange the formula to make I the subject.
ii) Calculatethe length when V=3000cm³ and r=4cm.
d Calculatethe value of r when V=5000 cm² and l= 50cm.
Rearrangeeach of the following formulae to make the variable in red the subject.

a=2b-c
5 c m=3 e c-
b x=h-4 d p=8q'
y

Created with Scanner Pro

 18 Further algebraic expressions and formulae
........e.................................e...ce...

A0A regular hexagon has a side length of x and a height h as shown.

KEY INFORMATION
A geometric proof uses
the shape's properties to
a Write the length AB in terms of x. prove the result.
b Show that h=\3x.
c i) Rearrange the formula to make x the subject. LET'S TALK
i) Calculatethe value of x when h=6cm. Can you prove the
d Prove geometrically or algebraically that the area of the formula for the area using
both types of proof?
hexagonis given by the formula A=3V3

Now you have completed Unit 18, you may like to try the Unit 18
online knowledge test if you are using the Boost eBook.

151

Created with Scanner Pro