FORMULAE

For all rectangles it is true that the area is equal to the length multiplied by the width provided
that the length and width are measured in the same units.

If we use letters for the unknown quantities (A for area, l for length, w for width) we can write a
sentence to express area more briefly as a formula: A = l x w.
The multiplication sign is usually left out giving
A=lw
Example
(1) The perimeter of the square below is P cm. Write down a formula for P.

The perimeter of is the figure is the sum of the

lengths of the sides
l
l this is l + l + l + l (cm) since P is the perimeter
P=l+l+l+l
which can be simplified
P = 4l
l

Exercise
(1) In each of the following figures the perimeter is P cm. Write down a formula for P.

(a) l (b) (c) c

l l
w w
a b

l
b
c
(2) If l m is the length of a rectangle and w m is the width, write down a
2
formula for A if the area of the rectangle is A m .
(3) The side of a square is l cm long. Write down a formula for A if the area of the square is
A m2.

(4) Peaches cost x cents each and I buy n of these peaches. Write down a formula for C
where C cents is the total cost of the peaches.

(5) A taxi company calculates its fare using the formula 45p per mile. If you travel a distance
of m miles, what is the formula for the total trip T in
(a) Pence (b) pounds.

Substituting numerical values into a formula

Example
(1) Given that v = u + at find v when u =2 , a = ½ and t = 4
v = 2 + (½)(4) = 2 + 2 = 4

Exercise
(1) If T = np, find T when n = 20 and p = 5.

𝑃𝑅𝑇
(2) If I = , find I when P = 100, R = 3 and T = 5
100

(3) If P = ⅔( x + y – z ), find P when x = 4, y = – 5 and z = – 10,

(4) If v2 = u2 + 2as, find a when v = 3, u = 2, and s = 12.

(5) A rectangular box is l cm long, b cm wide and d cm deep. The volume of the box is V
cm3. Write down a formula for V. Use your formula to find the volume of a box
measuring 20 cm by 12 cm by 10 cm.

𝑛
(6) If S = [ 2a + ( n – 1 )d]
2
(a) find S when n = 10, a = – 2 , and d = ½
(b) a when S = 440, n = 10 and d = 5.
Changing the subject of a formula
Suppose we have to use the formula A = lw to find the value of l when A = 20 and w = 4 . The
better way of doing this is to make l the subject of the formula.
𝐴
if A = lw, dividing both sides by w gives us l =
𝑤
20
We can now find the value l = =5
4

Example
Make y the subject of the formula P = 2y + z
P = 2y + z
P – z = 2y ( subtract z from both sides)
𝑃−𝑧
=y ( divide both sides by 2)
2

Exercise
(1) Make the letter in brackets the subject of the formula:
(i) p=s+r (s) (ii) a=b–c (b) (iii) X = Y – Z (Y)
1
(iv) x = 2y (y) (v) v= t (t) (vi) a = bc (b)
2
u w p
(vii) t = (u) (viii) z = (w) (ix) n= (p)
3 100 q

1
(x) p = 2s + r (s) (xi) A=P+ I (I) (xii) N = It – 2s (s)
10

(2) Make u the subject of the formula

v = u + at
Find u when v = 80, a = – 10 and t = 6.

(3) Make B the subject of the formula

C
A= +B
100
Find B when A = 20 and C = 250.