Help! How do I rearrange equations?

Being able to manipulate equations is a very useful skill in Physics. Consider, for example, the relationship between mass, density and volume.
m = ρ x v
In the above equation, the mass, m is the subject because it appears all on it's own on one side of the equation and does not appear on the other side. If we wanted, for example, to make the distance ρ the subject and to get it all on its own, we should ask ourselves: What mathematical operation is being applied to ρ? We can see that it is being multiplied by the volume v, so to get ρ alone we must divide it by v. Now comes the crucial rule when it comes to algebra, an equation remains unchanged as long as you do the same thing to both sides. Therefore for the equation to still make sense, we must also divide the mass by v and then we equation becomes
m / v = ρ

IP
Answered by Ijeoma P. Physics tutor

1917 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The potential difference in a circuit is 5V. There are two resistors connected in series of resistance 10 Ohms. Calculate the current I in the circuit.


State Newton's 3 Laws in words and/or mathematically


The charge that flows through the shower in 300 seconds is 18000C. The electric shower has a power of 13.8 kW. Calculate the resistance of the heating element in the shower.


Calculate the acceleration if a force of 500N is exerted on a mass of 20kg


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning