What Formulas Are

This lesson covers:

  1. What a 'formula' is, and the basics of how to use formulas
  2. We cover the details of how to rearrange them, and specific formulas, in other lessons 

A formula is a fact or rule that is written using mathematic symbols. 


For example the formula for speed is:

s=td

where s is speed, d is distance and t is time. 

Which of the following is a formula? 

a=tΔv
52a+3a
32x=6

0

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1

A car travels 120m (d) in 15 seconds (t). Use the formula below to find the speed (s) of the car.

s=td
8

m/s

m/s

0

/

1

Which of the following is a formula? 

KE=0.5mv2
3m=7m6
3m2v2

0

/

1

An objects has a mass of 30 kg (m) and a volume of 0.2 m3 (V). Find the density (⍴) of the object.

ρ=Vm
150

kg/m3

kg/m3

0

/

1