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Formula - GCSE Maths Definition

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What is a formula?

In GCSE maths, a formula is a mathematical statement that describes a relationship between two or more quantities. It is written using a combination of mathematical symbols, numbers and variables.

Some formulas you will need to be familiar with in GCSE maths are:

  • The area of a triangle: A equals 1 half b h; a circle: A equals pi r squared; and a trapezium: A equals 1 half open parentheses a plus b close parentheses h

  • The volume of a cube: V equals x cubed; a cuboid: V equals l w h; a cylinder: V equals pi r squared h; and a sphere: V equals 4 over 3 pi r to the power of italic 3

  • The quadratic formula: x equals fraction numerator negative b plus-or-minus square root of b squared minus 4 a c end root over denominator 2 a end fraction; and the Pythagorean theorem: a squared plus b squared equals c squared

A formula on its own cannot be solved, however values can be substituted into a formula to create an equation, which can then be solved. For example, in the formula for the equation of a straight line: y equals m x plus c, if you substitute c equals 1 comma space m equals 2 and y equals 3 , you create the equation 2 x plus 1 equals 3 which can then be solved to find x equals 1.

In GCSE maths, you may be expected to rearrange formulas that you have never seen before. For example, the formula for energy: E equals P t, could be rearranged to make P the subject: P equals E over t, or to make t the subject: t equals E over P.

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Amber

Reviewer: Amber

Expertise: Maths Content Creator

Amber gained a first class degree in Mathematics & Meteorology from the University of Reading before training to become a teacher. She is passionate about teaching, having spent 8 years teaching GCSE and A Level Mathematics both in the UK and internationally. Amber loves creating bright and informative resources to help students reach their potential.

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