FORMULAE

Writing Formulae
A formula is an equation that expresses the relationship between two or more variables. The variables in a formula are usually represented by the first letter of the word. For example: time (t), volume (V), area (A), height (h), and so on.

Symbols representing a quantity in a formula must be clearly stated.

Example:

The entrance fees to a funfair are RM3 for an adult and RM2 for a child. If, on a certain day, p adults and q children visited the fair, write a formula for the total collection of that day. A = 3p + 2q

Example:
Write a formula based on each of the following statements or situations. (a) The volume of a cube with sides t cm is V 3 cm V=tXtXt 3 =t (b) The area of a rectangle with length p cm 2 and breadth q cm is A cm . A=pXq = pq

(c) Puan Asnah bought x kg of flour and y kg of sugar which cost RM5 and RM3 per kilogram respectively. The total cost for the two items was RMZ. Z = (5 x x) + (3 x y) Z = 5x + 3y

Subject Of A Formula
The subject of a formula is a variable that is expressed in terms of other variables in the formula. If a variable is the subject of a formula, then the variable can only lie on one side (usually left) of an equation and its coefficient must be 1.

Example: 2 E = mc
E is the subject of formula

2y = 5x 3

No subject because coefficient of y is not 1. No subject because k is p found in both sides of equation

k = hk + 4

w = 4x y

No subject because w and

p not linear terms are

p = 2r + s

Example: Identify the subject of the following formulae. (a) P = ml + t Subject = P

(b) v = q + 4m Subject = v (c) 6k + 2p = j Subject = j

Changing The Subject Of A Formula

Given that y = t 1 , y is the subject of formula. When the formula is rearranged t = y + 1, t becomes subject. This process is known as changing the subject of the formula. Rearranging the formula allow us to make another variable the subject of the formula.

Example: Express a in terms of w, if

2 - 3a w= a 2 - 3a wxa= xa a

2 - 3a w= a

wa + 3a = 2 - 3a + 3a

a(w + 3) = 2
2 a= (w + 3)

Example: Express the variable stated in each of the following as the subject of the given formula. (a) 3p + 2q = 7r Express q as the subject.
3p + 2q = 7r 2q = 7r - 3p
7r - 3p q= 2

(b) z = y 3x Express y as the subject.

z = y 2 - 3x
y 2 - 3x = z y 2 = z + 3x
y= z + 3x

(c) 5k = h 3p Express p as the subject. 5k = h - 3 p 2

h - 3 p 2 = 5k -3p 2 = 5k - h 3p 2 = h - 5k
p2 h - 5k = 3
h - 5k 3

p=

(d) m = p t Express t as the subject. m=p t

p t =m m t = p
t=

m p m2 p2

t=

(e) 2m =

3k - 2 3

Express k as the subject. 3k - 2 2m = 3

3k - 2 = 2m 3 3k - 2 = 4m 2 3 3k - 2 = 12 m 2

3k = 12m 2 + 2 12m 2 + 2 k= 3

(f)

4 2 1 + = x y z

Express z as the subject. 4 2 1 + = x y z

1 4 2 = + z x y

1 4y + 2x = z xy xy z= 4y + 2x

Values Of Variables In Formulae

Example:
1 Given that W = 3a - b , find 2 (a) W when a = 2 and b = 4 1 W = 3a - b 2 1 W = 3(2) - (4) 2

W=6-2 W=4

(b) b when a = 3 and W = 5. 1 W = 3a - b 2 1 5 = 3(3) - b 2 1 b=9-5 2 1 b=4 2

b=4x2 b=8

Example: Evaluate each of the following. (a) Given that y = 3x z , find the value of y when x = 5 and z = 3. 2 y = 3(5) (3 ) y = 15 9 y=6
2

r 3q (b) Given that p = , find the value of r+2 when q = 12 and r = 4.

r 3q p= r+2
4 x 3(12) p= 4+2

4x6 p= 6
24 p= 6

p=

4x 6

36

p=4

RT (c) Given V = , find the value of T 3+R when V = 24 and R = 4. RT V= 3+R 4T 24 = 3+4 4T = 24 7

4T = 24 x 7
24 x 7 T= 4

T = 42

(d) Given that J = m 5k, find the positive value of m when J = 14 and k = 7.
J = m 2 - 5k 14 = m 2 - 5(7) m 2 - 35 = 14 m 2 = 14 + 35 m 2 = 49
m= 49

m=7

Solving Problems
Example: (a) The perimeter, P cm of a rectangle is given by the formula P = 2x + 2y where x and y are the length and breadth of the rectangle respectively. (i) Express x as the subject of the formula. (ii) Find the value of x given that P = 20 and y = 3.

(i)

P = 2x + 2y

2x + 2y = P
2x = P - 2y P - 2y x= 2

(ii)

P - 2y x= 2 20 - 2(3) x= 2 14 x= 2

x=7

(b)

c P b Q

The figure above shows a trapezium. 2 Given that L cm is the area of the trapezium, (i) express L in terms of a, b and c. (ii) find the area of the trapezium given that a = 10cm, b = 14cm and c = 7cm.

(i)

(ii)

1 L = x (a + b) x c 2 1 L = (a + b) x c 2 1 L = (a + b) x c 2
1 L = (10 + 14) x 7 2 1 L = (24) x 7 2

L = 84 cm 2

(c)
r p q

The figure above shows a right-angled triangle. (i) Express q in term of p and r. (ii) Find the value of q given that p = 5cm and r = 13cm.

(i)

p2 + q2 = r2

q2 = r2 - p2
q= r2 - p2

(ii)

q= q= q= q=

r2 - p2 (132) - (52) 169 - 25 144

q = 12 cm