How can you tell they’ve got it: Simple formulae?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Identify the subject of a given formula; Use inverse operations to rearrange a formula to make a different variable the subject; Rearrange formulae involving multiple steps including fractions and powers. Or just try it together: If a formula gives speed as distance ÷ time, can your child rearrange it to find distance or time when they're the unknowns instead?

Mathematics Algebra Ages 12–14

Simple formulae

Your child can rearrange a formula to find a different value. From speed = distance ÷ time, they can make distance the subject.

In curriculum terms

Understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject, performing inverse operations to isolate a different variable

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Identify the subject of a given formula
Use inverse operations to rearrange a formula to make a different variable the subject
Rearrange formulae involving multiple steps including fractions and powers

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

If a formula gives speed as distance ÷ time, can your child rearrange it to find distance or time when they're the unknowns instead?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Solving Linear Equationsages 11–14Rearranging formulae uses the same inverse-operation techniques as solving equations

Substituting into Formulaeages 11–12Rearranging formulae requires fluent substitution to verify results

Using inverse operationsages 11–12Rearranging formulae to change the subject is an application of inverse operations to algebraic expressions

Simple formulaethis skill · ages 12–14

Unlocks

Trigonometry basicsages 13–15Using trig ratios to find unknowns requires formula rearrangement

Compound Unitsages 11–14Rearranging compound unit formulae (speed = distance/time) uses formula rearrangement skills

Plotting Linear Graphsages 12–14Rearranging to y = mx + c form uses formula rearrangement skills

Types of anglesages 13–14Rearranging a² + b² = c² to find a shorter side uses formula rearrangement

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Factorising Expressionsages 12–13 Linear Function Graphsages 12–14 Nth-Term Rulesages 12–14 Plotting Linear Graphsages 12–14

All Algebra skills →