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Help your students prepare for their Maths GCSE with this free rearranging formulae worksheet of 30+ questions and answers
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We can rearrange a formula, or change the subject of the formula, so that one unknown is alone on the left-hand side of the formula and is equal to the rest of the formula. This allows us to work out the value of that unknown, when we know the other values. We rearrange formulae by applying inverse functions.
For example, if we have the formula for the circumference of a circle, C=π times d, we can rearrange the formula to make d the subject, which will help us to work out the diameter, given the circumference of a circle. At the moment, d is multiplied by π. To move π to the other side of the equation, we apply the inverse of this, which is divide by π. If we divide both sides by π we get C divided by π = d which can be written as d = C divided by π. We have now made π the subject of the formula.
It is important to remember that the inverse function to the square of a number is a square root. The square root of a number can be written as the number, raised to the power of a half. The square, and the square root of a number are both powers (indices). This is also true for the cube, and the inverse, the cube root.
Common equations used to test knowledge of rearranging formulae are: area of 2D shapes, surface area / volume of 3D shapes, converting units such as celsius to fahrenheit, and equations of a straight line.
Looking forward, students can then progress to additional rearranging equations worksheets and other algebra worksheets, for example a sequences worksheet, simultaneous equations worksheet or straight line graphs worksheet.
For more teaching and learning support on Algebra our GCSE maths lessons provide step by step support for all GCSE maths concepts.
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