Year 10: Transposing formulas

Transposing formulas means rearranging a formula to make a specific variable the subject of the formula. This is a crucial skill in Algebra.

What is Transposing?

Essentially, you're moving terms from one side of the equation to the other. Remember the golden rule: what you do to one side, you MUST do to the other to maintain equality.

Steps for Transposing

1. Identify the variable you want to make the subject. Let's say we want to make 'y' the subject of the formula 2x + y = 5.
2. Isolate the term with the variable. In our example, we need to get 'y' by itself. This means we need to move the '2x' term away from 'y'.
3. Perform the opposite operation. Since '2x' is being added to 'y', we subtract '2x' from both sides of the equation. This gives us y = 5 - 2x.
4. Check your answer. Substitute a value for 'x' (e.g., x=1) back into the rearranged formula to confirm it holds true.

Important Reminders

• Addition becomes subtraction: If a term is being added, change it to subtraction.
• Subtraction becomes addition: If a term is being subtracted, change it to addition.
• Multiplication and division are unaffected. Don't change any terms involving multiplication or division.

Practice is key! Work through plenty of examples to master transposing formulas.