CHANGING THE SUBJECT OF A FORMULA

A formula is a general equation showing the connection between two or

more related quantities.
For example:

A = r 2 is a formula for the area of a circle in terms of its radius r. A is said to be the
subject of the formula.

Changing the subject of the formula or transposing the formula refers to the
process whereby the formula is rearranged so that another given symbol becomes
the subject.

In the transposition of formulae, all the rules are obeyed as in the solution of
equations.

EXAMPLE 1:

When a symbol is added to one side of a formula, it can be transferred to the other
side of the formula by subtracting it from both sides of the formula.

Make u the subject of the formula in v = u+t

SOLUTION

Given that v = u+t

Subtracting t from both sides of the formula, we get

v -t =u
Rewriting the formula, we get

u=v-t
Hence u is now the subject of the formula.
EXAMPLE 2:

When a symbol is subtracted from one side of a formula, it can be transferred to the
other side of the formula by adding it from both sides of the formula.

Make A the subject of the formula in p = A - h

SOLUTION

Given that p = A-h

Adding h to both sides of the formula, we get

p +h = A

Rewriting the formula, we get

A = p +h

Hence A is now the subject of the formula.

EXAMPLE 3:

When a symbol is connected to one side of a formula as a product, it can be

transferred to the other side of the formula by dividing both sides of the formula by
it.

Transpose the formula pV = nRT to make R the subject of the formula.

SOLUTION

Given that pV = nRT

Dividing both sides of the formula by nT, we get

pV nRT
=
nT nT
pV
i.e. =R
nT
Rewriting the formula, we get

pV
R=
nT
Hence R is now the subject of the formula.

EXAMPLE 4:

When a symbol is connected to one side of a formula as a quotient, it can be

transferred to the other side of the formula by multiplying both sides of the formula
by it.

m
Transpose the formula p = for m.
V
Squaring both sides, we get
2
T l
2

=
2 g
T2 l
i.e. 2
=
4 g

Crossing multiplying, we get

gT2 = 42l
EXAMPLE 7:

Sometimes it becomes necessary to factorize a set f terms before changing the

subject of a formula.

y-4
Given that x = , express y in terms of x.
y -7

SOLUTION

y-4
Given that x=
y -7

Cross multiplying, we get

x y - 7 = y - 4

Using the distributive law, we get

xy - 7x = y - 4

Grouping the terms in y on the LHS and transferring the other terms on the RHS, we
get
xy - y = - 4 + 7x

Factorizing the LHS, we get

y x - 1 = - 4 +7x

Dividing both sides by x -1 , we get

7x - 4
y=
x -1
Hence y is now the subject of the formula.
EXERCISE C6
1. Express p as the subject of the formula

p2 - r
q=
t

2. Make t the subject of the formula

p t+r
=
2 g

3. The relationship between kinetic energy, E; mass, m; and velocity, v; for a
moving particle is

1
E= mv 2
2
Express v in terms of E and m.

4. Make C the subject of the formula

9
F = C + 32
5

 4h
5. A formula is given as d .
5
Make h the subject of the formula.

1
6. Given the formula s = u + v t , express u in terms of v, s, and t.
2

 2p2
7. Given that r = , rearrange the formula to make q the subject.
q - 3

8. Make r the subject of EACH of the following formula:

(i) r - h = rh

(ii) V = r 2h