Rearranging Formulae
Checklist
• When you solve equations, do you know how to do the following?
• 1. Getting rid of + x and – x
• 2. Getting rid of multiplications
• 3. Getting rid of ÷
• 4. Getting rid of powers.
• 5. Factorising.
These are the skills you’ll need for rearranging equations
Rearranging formulae is like Solving Equations
• But with multiple unknowns.
• Formulae describe the relationship between variables:
• E.g. y=mx+c , s = d/t
• Rearranging formulae allows us to work out what the x coordinate is when we
have y,m, and c,
• or what distance something travelled if we know what speed it went at and for
how long.
Key Principles.
• When we rearrange formulas we always want to get one variable (a, x, etc) on its own.
• First we need to get all the terms containing that variable on one side of the equation, on their
own if possible:
3y +2x = 2y + 2 goes to 3y – 2y = 2 – 2x
• Then we need to manipulate the equation to get the just the variable on its own: y = 2 – 2x
• You always follow these two steps, regardless of how hard the questions get.
• Remember! If we makes a change to one side of an equation, we have to change the other side in
the same way.
Lets Ease in With Some Basic Questions
Now For Some intermediate Questions
Time for Advanced Questions
Finally, Some Wordy Questions
Finally, Some Wordy Questions (2)
• A circle has a radius of 2x + 3y.
• What is the formula for the circumference (c) of the circle?
• Express the formula in terms of y.
Finally, Some Wordy Questions (3)
• Amy has 6 apples. Bob says, ‘for your 6 apples, I’ll give you 2 bananas
and 12 cherries’.
• Write out the formula for how much Bob thinks apples are worth in
terms of bananas and cherries.
• How much does Bob think a banana is worth in terms of apples and
cherries?
