CHAPTER 12 TRANSPOSING FORMULAE

EXERCISE 48 Page 97

1. Transpose a + b = c – d – e for d.

Since a + b = c – d – e then d = c – e – a – b

2. Transpose y = 7x for x.

y
Since y = 7x then x =
7

3. Transpose pv = c for v.

c
Since pv = c then v =
p

4. Transpose v = u + at for a.

Since v = u + at

then v – u = at
v −u
and a=
t

5. Transpose V = IR for R.

V
Since V = IR then R =
I

6. Transpose x + 3y = t for y.

Since x + 3y = t then 3y = t – x
t−x 1
and dividing both sides by 3 gives: y= or =
y (t − x )
3 3

163 © 2014, John Bird

7. Transpose c = 2πr for r.

c c
Dividing both sides of c = 2πr by 2π gives: = r or r =
2π 2π

8. Transpose y = mx + c for x.

Since y = mx + c

then y – c = mx

y−c
and x=
m

9. Transpose I = PRT for T.

Since I = PRT

I
then T=
PR

10. Transpose X L = 2π f L for L.

Since X L = 2π f L

XL
then L=
2π r

E
11. Transpose I = for R.
R

E
Multiplying both sides of I = by R gives: IR = E
R
E
and dividing both sides by I gives: R=
I

164 © 2014, John Bird

 x
12. Transpose y= + 3 for x.
a

x
Since y= +3
a

x
then y–3=
a

and x = m( y − 3)

9
13. Transpose F = C + 32 for C.
5

9 9
Rearranging F = C + 32 gives: F – 32 = C
5 5

5 5  5  9 
Multiplying both sides by gives: ( F − 32 ) =
  C 
9 9  9  5 

5 5
i.e. ( F − 32 ) =
C or =
C ( F − 32 )
9 9

1
14. Transpose X C = for f.
2π f C

1
Since XC =
2π f C

1
then f=
2π C X C

165 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 49 Page 99

a
1. Transpose S = for r.
1− r

a
Multiplying both sides of S = by (1 – r) gives: S(1 – r) = a
1− r

i.e. S – Sr = a

from which, S – a = Sr

S −a S −a a
and dividing both sides by S gives: =r i.e. r = or r = 1 –
S S S

λ(x − d )
2. Transpose y = for x.
d

λ (x − d)
Multiplying both sides of y = by d gives: yd = λ(x – d)
d

yd
Dividing both sides by λ gives: = x−d
λ

yd yd
and d+ = x or x= d +
λ λ

Alternatively, from the first step, yd = λ(x – d)

i.e. yd = λx – λd

and yd + λd = λx

yd + λ d d ( y + λ) d
from which, x= = i.e. x = ( y + λ)
λ λ λ

3( F − f )
3. Transpose A = for f.
L

3( F − f )
Since A = then AL = 3(F – f)
L

i.e. AL = 3F – 3f

166 © 2014, John Bird

and 3f = 3F – AL

3F − AL
from which, f=
3

3F − AL 3F AL AL 3F − AL AL
Since = − =F − then f = may also be written as f = F –
3 3 3 3 3 3

A B2
4. Transpose y = for D.
5 CD

A B2 A B2
Since y = then D = by cross-multiplying
5 CD 5 Cy

5. Transpose R = R 0 (1 + αt) for t.

R R0 (1 + α t ) gives: R
Removing the bracket in= = R0 + R0 α t

from which, R0 α t
R − R0 =

R − R0 R − R0
and =t or t=
R0α R0α

1 1 1
6. Transpose = + for R 2
R R1 R2

1 1 1 1 1 1
Rearranging = + gives: − =
R R1 R2 R R1 R2
1 1 1 R1 − R
i.e. = − =
R2 R R1 R R1

R R1
Turning both sides upside down gives: R2 =
R1 − R

E −e
7. Transpose I = for R.
R+r

Multiplying both sides by (R + r) gives: I(R + r) = E – e

i.e. IR+Ir=E–e
and IR=E–e–Ir

167 © 2014, John Bird

 E −e− I r E −e
and dividing both sides by I gives: R= or R = −r
I I

8. Transpose y = 4ab2c2 for b.

y y
Dividing both sides by 4a c 2 gives: = b2 or b2 =
4ac 2 4ac 2

y
Taking the square root of both sides gives: b=
4ac 2

a2 b2
9. Transpose + =1 for x.
x2 y2

a 2 b2 a2 b2 y 2 − b2
Rearranging + =
1 gives: =−
1 =
x2 y 2 x2 y2 y2

x2 y2
Turning both sides upside down gives: =
a 2 y 2 − b2

 y2  a2 y2
Multiplying both sides by a 2 gives: =x 2 a=
2
 2 2
 y − b  y 2 − b2

a2 y2 a2 y2 ay
Taking the square root of both sides gives: x= = =
y 2 − b2 y 2 − b2 y 2 − b2

ay
i.e. x=
y 2 − b2

L
10. Transpose for t = 2π for L.
g

l t l
Dividing both sides of t = 2π by 2π gives: =
g 2π g
2 2
 t  l l  t 
Squaring both sides gives:   = or = 
 2π  g g  2π 
2
 t  g t2
Multiplying both sides by g gives: l = g  or l=
 2π  4π 2

168 © 2014, John Bird

11. Transpose v2 = u2 + 2as for u.

Since v2 = u2 + 2as then v2 – 2as = u2

from which, u= v 2 − 2as

π R 2θ
12. Transpose A = for R.
360

π R 2θ
Multiplying both sides of A = by 360 gives: 360A = π R 2θ
360
360A 360A
and dividing both sides by πθ gives: = R2 or R2 =
πθ πθ
360A
Taking the square root of both sides gives: R=
πθ

a+x
13. Transpose N =   for a.
 y 

a+x a+x
Squaring both sides of N = gives: N2 =
y y

Multiplying both sides by y gives: N 2 y= a + x or a + x = N 2 y

from which, a = N2y – x

14. Transpose Z = R 2 + (2π fL) 2 for L, and evaluate L when Z = 27.82, R = 11.76 and f = 50

R 2 + ( 2π fL ) R 2 + ( 2π fL )
2
Z=
2
Squaring both sides of Z = gives: 2

( 2π fL )
2
from which, Z 2 − R2 =

Taking the square root of both sides gives: 2π fL

Z 2 − R2 = or 2π=
fL Z 2 − R2

Z 2 − R2
Dividing both sides by 2πf gives: L=
2π f

169 © 2014, John Bird

 1 2
15. The lift force, L, on an aircraft is given by: L= ρ v ac where ρ is the density, v is the
2
velocity, a is the area and c is the lift coefficient. Transpose the equation to make the velocity
the subject.

1 2 2L
Since L= ρ v ac then = v2
2 ρ ac

2L
from which, velocity, v =
ρ ac

16. The angular deflection θ of a beam of electrons due to a magnetic field is given by:

 HL 
θ =k  . Transpose the equation for V.
 1 
V 
2

 HL  1 kHL
Since θ = k  1  then V2 =
  θ
V2 
2
kH L k 2 H 2 L2
from which, V=   or V =
 θ  θ2

170 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 50 Page 101

a2m − a2n
1. Transpose y = for a.
x

a2m − a2n
Multiplying both sides of y = by x gives: xy = a 2 m − a 2 n
x
and factorizing gives: xy = a 2 ( m − n )

xy xy
Dividing both sides by (m – n) gives: = a2 or a2 =
m−n m−n

xy
Taking the square root of both sides gives: a=
m−n

2. Transpose M = π(R4 – r4) for R.

M
Dividing both sides of M = π ( R 4 − r 4 ) by π gives: = R4 − r 4
π
M M
and rearranging gives: + r4 =
R4 or R=
4 + r4
π π
M
Taking the fourth root of both sides gives: R= 4 + r4
π

r
3. Transpose x + y = for r.
3+ r

r
Multiplying both sides of x + y = by (3 + r) gives: (x + y)(3 + r) = r
3+ r
Multiplying the brackets gives: 3x + xr + 3y + yr = r

and rearranging gives: xr + yr – r = –3x – 3y

Factorizing gives: r(x + y – 1) = –3(x + y)

−3( x + y )
Dividing both sides by (x + y – 1) gives: r=
x + y −1
3( x + y )
Multiplying numerator and denominator by –1 gives: r=
1− x − y

171 © 2014, John Bird

 µL
4. Transpose m = for L.
L + rCR

µL
Multiplying both sides of m = by (L + rCR) gives: m(L + rCR) = µL
L+rC R

Removing brackets gives: mL + mrCR = µL

and rearranging gives: mrCR = µL – mL

Factorizing gives: mrCR = L(µ – m)

mrCR
Dividing both sides by (µ – m) gives: L=
µ −m

b2 − c2
5. Transpose a2 = for b.
b2

Multiplying both sides by b 2 gives: a 2b=

2 b2 − c2

and rearranging gives: c=

2 b 2 − a 2b 2 or b 2 − a 2b 2 =
c2

Factorizing gives: b 2 (1 − a 2 ) =
c2

c2
Dividing both sides by (1 − a 2 ) gives: b2 =
1 − a2

c2 c2
Taking the square root of both sides gives: b= =
1 − a2 1 − a2

c
Hence, b=
1 − a2

x 1+ r2
6. Transpose = for r.
y 1− r2

Rearranging by cross-multiplying gives: x (1 − r 2 ) = y (1 + r 2 )

Removing brackets gives: x − xr 2 =y + yr 2

and rearranging gives: x − y= yr 2 + xr 2 or yr 2 + xr 2 =−

x y

172 © 2014, John Bird

Factorizing gives: r 2 ( x + y ) =x − y

x− y
Dividing both sides by (x + y) gives: r2 =
x+ y

x− y
Taking the square root of both sides gives: r=
x+ y

p  a + 2b 
7. Transpose =   for b.
q  a − 2b 

2
 p a + 2b p 2 a + 2b
Squaring both sides gives:   = i.e. =
q a − 2b q 2 a − 2b

Rearranging by cross-multiplying gives: p 2 ( a − 2b ) = q 2 ( a + 2b )

Removing brackets gives: ap 2 − 2bp 2 =aq 2 + 2bq 2

Rearranging gives: ap 2 − aq 2 = 2bq 2 + 2bp 2

or 2bq 2 + 2bp 2 =ap 2 − aq 2

Factorizing gives: 2b(q 2 + p 2 ) = a ( p 2 − q 2 )

a ( p2 − q2 )
Dividing both sides by 2 ( p 2 + q 2 ) gives: b=
2 ( p2 + q2 )

1 1 1
8. A formula for the focal length, f, of a convex lens is: = + . Transpose the formula to make
f u v

v the subject and evaluate v when f = 5 and u = 6

1 1 1 1 1 1 u− f
Rearranging = + gives: = − =
f u v v f u uf
uf
Turning each side upside down gives: v=
u− f

uf (6)(5) 30
When f = 5 and u = 6, then v= = = = 30
u− f 6−5 1

173 © 2014, John Bird

9. The quantity of heat Q is given by the formula Q = mc(t 2 – t1 ). Make t 2 the subject of the formula

and evaluate t 2 when m = 10, t1 = 15, c = 4 and Q = 1600

Removing the brackets in Q = mc ( t2 − t1 ) gives: Q = mct2 − mct1

and rearranging gives: Q + mct1 = mct2

or mct2= Q + mvt1

Q + mvt1 Q Q
Dividing both sides by mc gives: t2 = or =
t2 + t1 or t2= t1 +
mc mc mc

When m = 10, t1 = 15, c = 4 and Q = 1600,

Q 1600 1600
t2 = t1 + =15 + =15 + =15 + 40 = 55
mc (10)(4) 40

0.03Lv 2
10. The velocity v of water in a pipe appears in the formula h = . Express v as the subject
2dg
of the formula and evaluate v when h = 0.712, L = 150, d = 0.30 and g = 9.81

0.03Lv 2
Multiplying both sides of h = by 2dg gives: 2dgh = 0.03L v 2
2dg
2dgh 2dgh
Dividing both sides by 0.03L gives: = v2 or v2 =
0.03L 0.03L

2dgh
Taking the square root of each side gives: v=
0.03L

When h = 0.712, L = 150, d = 0.30 and g = 9.81,

2dgh 2(0.30)(9.81)(0.712)
=
v= = 0.931296 = 0.965
0.03L 0.03(150)

 3d (l − d ) 
11. The sag S at the centre of a wire is given by the formula S =  .
 8 
Make l the subject of the formula and evaluate l when d = 1.75 and S = 0.80

3 d (l − d ) 3d ( l − d )
Squaring both sides of S = gives: S2 =
8 8
174 © 2014, John Bird
Multiplying both sides by 8 gives: S 2 3d ( l − d )
8=

Removing the bracket gives: 8 S=

2 3dl − 3d 2

Rearranging gives: 8 S 2 + 3d 2 =
3dl

or 3=
dl 8 S 2 + 3d 2

8S 2 + 3d 2 8S 2 3d 2
Dividing both sides by 3d gives: l= = +
3d 3d 3d

8S 2
i.e. l= +d
3d

8S 2 8(0.80) 2
When d = 1.75 and S = 0.80, l= +=
d + 1.75
= 0.975 + 1.75 = 2.725
3d 3(1.75)

12. In an electrical alternating current circuit the impedance Z is given by:

  1  
2
2 + ωL −
Z=  R    . Transpose the formula to make C the subject and hence evaluate C
  ω C  

when Z = 130, R = 120, ω = 314 and L = 0.32

2 2
 1   1 
Squaring both sides of Z = R +  ω L − Z =R +  ω L −
ωC  ωC 
2 gives: 2 2
 
2
 1 
Z − R = ωL −
ωC 
Rearranging gives: 2 2

1
Taking the square root of both sides gives: Z 2 − R2 = ω L −
ωC
1
Rearranging gives: =ω L − Z 2 − R 2
ωC

Multiplying both sides by ω gives:

1
C
{
= ω ω L − Z 2 − R2 }
1
Turning both sides upside down gives: C=
{
ω ω L − Z 2 − R2 }
When Z = 130, R = 120, ω = 314 and L = 0.32,

175 © 2014, John Bird

 1 1 1 1
C= = = =
{
ω ω L − Z 2 − R2} {
314 (314)(0.32) − 1302 − 1202 }
314 {100.48 − 50} 15 850.72

= 0.0000631 = 63.1×10−6

13. An approximate relationship between the number of teeth T on a milling cutter, the diameter

12.5 D
of cutter D and the depth of cut d is given by T = . Determine the value of D when T =
D + 4d

10 and d = 4 mm.

12.5 D
Multiplying both sides of T = by D + 4d gives: T(D + 4d) = 12.5D
D + 4d

Removing brackets gives: TD + 4dT = 12.5D

Rearranging gives: 4dT = 12.5D – TD

or 12.5D – TD = 4dT

Factorizing gives: D(12.5 – T) = 4dT

4dT
Dividing both sides by (12.5 – T) gives: D=
12.5 − T

4dT 4(4)(10) 160

When T = 10 and d = 4 mm, then D = = = = 64 mm
12.5 − T 12.5 − 10 2.5

14. Make λ, the wavelength of X-rays, the subject of the following formula:

µ C Z 4 λ5 n
=
ρ a

Rearranging (by cross-multiplying) gives: a µ = ρ CZ 4 λ 5 n

aµ
and λ5 =
ρ CZ 4 n

5 aµ
i.e. λ2 =
ρ CZ 4 n

176 © 2014, John Bird

 2 2
 5 5  aµ  5
and λ  =  ρ CZ 4 n 
2
 

2
 aµ 
from which, λ=  5

 ρ CZ 4 n 

15. A simply supported beam of length L has a centrally applied load F and a uniformly distributed

load of w per metre length of the beam. The reaction at the beam support is given by:

1
R= ( F + wL )
2

Rearrange the equation to make w the subject. Hence determine the value of w when L = 4 m,

F = 8 kN and R = 10 kN.

1
Since R= ( F + wL ) then 2R = F + wL
2

and 2R – F = wL

2R − F
from which, w=
L

2(10) − 8 12
When L = 4 m, F = 8 kN and R = 10 kN, w= = = 3 kN/m
4 4

16. The rate of heat conduction through a slab of material, Q, is given by the formula

kA(t1 − t2 )
Q= where t1 and t2 are the temperatures of each side of the material, A is the area
d

of the slab, d is the thickness of the slab, and k is the thermal conductivity of the material.

Rearrange the formula to obtain an expression for t2

kA(t1 − t2 )
Since Q= then Qd = kA ( t1 − t2 )
d

Qd
i.e. = t1 − t2
kA

177 © 2014, John Bird

 Qd
from which, t2 = t1 –
kA

 rω 
17. The slip s of a vehicle is given by: s = 1 −  ×100% where r is the tyre radius, ω is the
 v 
angular velocity and v the velocity. Transpose to make r the subject of the formula.

 rω  s rω
Since s = 1 −  ×100% then =1–
 v  100 v
rω s
and =1–
v 100
v s 
1 −
ω  100 
from which, r=

18. The critical load, F newtons, of a steel column may be determined from the formula

F
L = nπ where L is the length, EI is the flexural rigidity, and n is a positive integer.
EI

Transpose for F and hence determine the value of F when n = 1, E = 0.25 ×1012 N/m 2 ,
I = 6.92 ×10−6 m 4 and L = 1.12 m.

F F nπ
Since L = nπ then =
EI EI L

F  nπ 
2

and = 
EI  L 

 nπ 
2

i.e. F = EI  
 L 

When n = 1, E = 0.25 ×1012 N/m 2 , I = 6.92 ×10−6 m 4 and L = 1.12 m,

 nπ  1× π 
2 2

load, F = EI  ( 0.25 ×1012 )( 6.92 ×10−6 ) 

 =  = 13.61 ×10 N = 13.61 MN
6
 L   1.12 

π pr 4
19. The flow of slurry along a pipe on a coal processing plant is given by: V =
8η 
Transpose the equation for r.

178 © 2014, John Bird

 π pr 4
Since V = then 8η V = π pr 4
8η 
8η V
and = r4
πp

 8η  V 
from which, r= 4
 
 π p 

3
I ρ 4 D 2 2
20. The deflection head H of a metal structure is given by: H =
20 g
Transpose the formula for length  .

3 3
I ρ 4 D 2 2 I ρ 4 D2  2
Since H= then H2 =
20 g 20 g

3
and 20 g H 2 = I ρ 4 D 2  2

3
20 g H 2
i.e. = 2
I ρ4 D

2
 20 g H 2 
from which, = 3 
 I ρ4 D 

179 © 2014, John Bird