Rearranging equations

We can express an equation in terms of the other variable.

For example,

To rearrange the equation so that it is written as  take each term and move to the other side of the equal sign using the opposite operation until you only have  remaining on the left.

e.g. Rearrange  to make  the subject of the equation

     Take  to the other side of the equal sign by adding to both sides

     Take  to the other side of the equal sign by subtracting  from both sides

           Divide both sides by

Now if we have a value for  we can find

e.g. Find  when

Further information

• RMIT University online  videos review solving simple equations using the ideas of balance and opposite operations.