IGCSE Maths / Working with algebra

When the subject has a power on it

Edexcel International GCSE Maths (4MA1), chapter 4: Working with algebra, specification point 2.3a. Part of the full course.

Read the revision notes · IGCSE Maths past papers

To make a letter the subject when it is squared or cubed, first isolate its power, then undo that power with a square root or cube root. For square roots, decide whether both signs are possible or whether the answer must be a positive length.

More lessons in Working with algebra

• Order of operations
• Collecting like terms
• Substituting into expressions and formulae
• Index laws with algebraic terms
• Fractional indices
• Expanding a single bracket
• Expanding double brackets
• Expanding triple brackets
• Factorising with a common factor
• Factorising quadratics of the form x squared plus bx plus c
• Factorising with a coefficient
• Difference of two squares
• Writing and deriving a formula
• Changing the subject of a formula