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AlgebraIntroduction

Making a Letter the Star

Part of Rearranging Formulae — GCSE Mathematics

This introduction covers Making a Letter the Star within Rearranging Formulae for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Rearranging Formulae in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 1 of 5 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 5

Practice

14 questions

Recall

11 flashcards

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!

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Rearranging Formulae. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

The Method: Reverse BIDMASWorked Example 1: LinearWorked Example 2: With a Square

Practice Questions for Rearranging Formulae

Make b the subject of the formula: a = b + c

  • A. b = a + c
  • B. b = c − a
  • C. b = a − c
  • D. b = ac
1 markfoundation

The circumference of a circle is given by the formula: C = 2πr Make r the subject of the formula.

2 marksfoundation

Quick Recall Flashcards

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.

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The Method: Reverse BIDMAS