Checking and securing understanding of changing the subject
I can apply an understanding of inverse operations to a formula in order to make a specific variable the subject.
Checking and securing understanding of changing the subject
I can apply an understanding of inverse operations to a formula in order to make a specific variable the subject.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rearranging the formula may be beneficial when what you wish to calculate is not the subject.
- You can compare rearranging the formula to solving for one unknown.
- Instead of finding a value though, you will find an expression that the variable is equal to.
Keywords
Subject of an equation - The subject of an equation/a formula is a variable that is expressed in terms of other variables. It should have an exponent of 1 and a coefficient of 1.
Common misconception
When rearranging multiplicative relationships, the values just 'swap'
Pupils should understand how to manipulate multiplicative relationships properly instead of relying on a 'trick'. This will be useful in other subject areas as well.
To help you plan your year 10 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of changing the subject, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of changing the subject, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 maths lessons from the Algebraic manipulation unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
