MINI LESSON

Transforming Formulas

Transforming a formula means solving it for a different variable.

Use inverse operations to isolate the requested variable.

When a variable appears in a denominator or as part of a product, undo multiplication and division carefully.

Keep the equation balanced at each step.

Question 1

The formula to calculate kinetic energy is \(K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2\), where \(K\) is kinetic energy, \(m\) is mass, and \(v\) is velocity. When \(m\) is written in terms of \(K\) and \(v\), the equation is

Question 2

When the formula \(p=2l+2w\) is solved for \(w\), the result is

Question 3

The formula for the area of a trapezoid is \(A=\frac{1}{2}h(b_1+b_2)\). The height, \(h\), of the trapezoid may be expressed as