DfE statement A2 · Algebra
Substitution into formulae
Substitution into formulae is content statement A2 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the algebra area. It is on both tiers, and it appears on both the calculator and the non-calculator papers. 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: "Substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae." (statement A2). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
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 turns up on both the non-calculator and the calculator papers, so practise it both ways — the written method for Paper 1 and the efficient calculator route for Papers 2 and 3.
Common mistakes
- Substituting a negative without brackets, so x² with x = −3 is evaluated as −9 rather than 9.
- Reading 3x as the digits side by side: with x = 4, answering 34 instead of 12.
- Ignoring priority of operations inside a formula, so 2 + 3x with x = 5 comes out as 25.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is substitution into formulae on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for substitution into formulae?
It depends on the paper. Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow one, and this topic is asked on both kinds.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Substituting a negative without brackets, so x² with x = −3 is evaluated as −9 rather than 9.
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.