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Making a Letter the Star
Making a Letter the Star
You know v = u + at for motion. But what if you know v and need to find a? You need to "make a the subject" - rearrange so a is alone on one side. It's like solving an equation, but with letters instead of numbers!
What is the 'subject' of a formula?: The variable that stands alone on one side of the equals sign. In v = u + at, v is the subject.
Mathematics glossary
- What is the 'subject' of a formula?
- The variable that stands alone on one side of the equals sign. In v = u + at, v is the subject.
- What does 'rearranging a formula' produce?
- An equivalent formula expressing a different variable as the subject. E.g. v = u + at rearranges to a = (v − u)/t.
The Method: Reverse BIDMAS
Order to undo: Addition/Subtraction first → Multiplication/Division → Powers/Roots
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 14
Make b the subject of the formula: a = b + c
Tap an answer to check it
This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on rearranging formulae, with a full worked answer.