DfE statement A5 · Algebra

Rearranging formulae

Both tiersNon-calculator

Rearranging formulae is content statement A5 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the algebra area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.

What the specification says

The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject." (statement A5). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
— Department for Education, Mathematics: GCSE subject content and assessment objectives, statement A5

Tier

Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.

Calculator

This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.

Common mistakes

Applying the inverse operation to one side only, so the equality is broken at the first step.
Not collecting the new subject when it appears twice in the formula — it has to be gathered on one side and factorised out.
Square-rooting one term instead of the whole side, turning A = πr² into r = √A/π rather than r = √(A/π).

Sample questions (10 of 30)

A5 · Rearranging formulaeQuestion 1 of 10 · 0 correct

Practice mode· no pressure · hints available

Algebra

Intermediate

To rearrange y = 2x − 5 to make x the subject, Sam writes: 'Add 5 to both sides to get y + 5 = 2x, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = (y + 5)/2.' Which statement about Sam's method is correct?

y = 2x − 5

💡 Hints:

Foundation worksheet Higher worksheet Foundation algebra practice Higher algebra practice

Nearby statements

A3Expressions, equations, formulae, identities and inequalities A4Simplifying, expanding and factorisingpart Higher A6Identities, equivalence and algebraic proofpart Higher A7Functions, inverse and composite functionspart Higher

Questions people ask

Is rearranging formulae on Foundation or Higher?

Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.

Can I use a calculator for rearranging formulae?

Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.

What is the single most common mistake here?

Applying the inverse operation to one side only, so the equality is broken at the first step.

Are these past paper questions?

No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.

Back to Algebra at Foundation or at Higher.