GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

8.6 Rearranging formulae — Practise with help

Attempt each question before opening a hint. Reveal the full working to check your method.

Warm-up: remember

Answer these from memory. Do not look back at the section.

  1. Solve x+6=10x+6=10.
  2. What operation reverses multiplying by 4?
Check the warm-up
  1. x=4x=4.
  2. Dividing by 4.

If an answer differs, revisit Section 9.1 for solving equations and Section 1.4 for inverse operations.

Practise with help

1. Make xx the subject of y=x+7y=x+7.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

x=y−7x=y-7.

2. Make xx the subject of y=4xy=4x.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

x=y4x=\frac{y}{4}. Check: 4(y/4)=y4(y/4)=y.

3. Make bb the subject of A=a+bA=a+b.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

b=A−ab=A-a.

4. Make rr the subject of C=2rC=2r.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

r=C2r=\frac{C}{2}.

5. Make hh the subject of V=bh/2V=bh/2.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

h=2Vbh=\frac{2V}{b}.

6. Make tt the subject of s=t−9s=t-9.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

t=s+9t=s+9.

7. Make ww the subject of P=2l+2wP=2l+2w.

Hint

Undo the operation affecting the required subject, in reverse order.

Next step

Use the inverse operation on both sides to isolate the named letter.

Full working

w=P−2l2w=\frac{P-2l}{2}.

8. Make yy the subject of x=y+4x=y+4.

Hint

Undo the addition of 44 on both sides.

Next step

Subtract 44 from both sides of x=y+4x=y+4.

Full working

x=xx=x — start with the given equation x=y+4x=y+4.

x−4=yx-4=y — subtract 44 from both sides.

y=x−4y=x-4 — write the subject on the left.

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