Formula - Definition with Examples

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What is Formula?

The formula is a fact or a rule written with mathematical symbols. It usually connects two or more quantities with an equal to sign. When you know the value of one quantity, you can find the value of the other using the formula.
 

Examples of formula:

Perimeter of rectangle = 2(length + width)

If the length and width of a rectangle are ‘a’ units and ‘b’ units respectively, the formula of its perimeter is:

P = 2 (a + b)

perimeter of rectangle

Area of rectangle = length × width

If the length and width of a rectangle are ‘a’ units and ‘b’ units respectively, the formula of its area is:

P = a × b

area of rectangle

Perimeter of square = 4 × side length

If the length of the side of a square is ‘a’ units, then its perimeter P is the sum of all its sides.

P = a + a + a + a

P = 4a

perimeter of square

Area of square = Side length × side length

If the side length of the square is a units; then its area is:

Area = a × a = a² 

area of square

Volume of cuboid = length × width × height

volume of cuboid

Profit = Selling price - cost price

Loss = Cost price - selling price

 

Non examples:

2x - 3 = 6

x + y = 10

3x - 8x + 9x = 17

These are equations and not formula.

  Fun Facts

  • The first formula was invented between 1800-1600 BC.

  • You find formulas not just in Mathematics but in Science as well.
 
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