Level 2 formula questions give you a rule – in words or in letters – and a real situation to apply it to: a taxi fare, a cooking time, a BMI, a currency conversion. The marks are for substituting correctly, following the order of operations, and sometimes rearranging to find a different value. This free worksheet covers all three.
Free to download, print and share for personal or classroom use. Answers included.
What’s in this worksheet
- Section A – Using formulas (14 marks)
- Section B – Rearranging and working backwards (11 marks)
- Section C – Writing formulas (9 marks)
- Revise box with the rules and methods for the topic
- Worked answers for every question
Common mistakes on this topic
From our tutors’ marking and the most recent examiner reports – check your work against these:
- Squaring the wrong thing in BMI – it is height squared, not weight. 1.75² first, then divide.
- Working backwards in the wrong order: subtract the fixed charge before dividing by the rate.
- Mixing pence and pounds inside one formula (£12 plus 8p per minute). Convert to one unit before substituting.
How to use it
- Print the worksheet (or work on screen) and attempt every question without looking at the answers. Give yourself a rough time limit – Level 2 exams are tight.
- Mark your work against the answer page. For maths, check the method as well as the final number; method marks are where most of the marks are.
- Read the ‘common mistakes’ notes below and check whether any of them happened to you. Then redo the questions you got wrong a day later.
Related free resources
- Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Functional Skills Maths Level 2 Percentages Worksheet
- Level 2 Maths Mini Practice Paper 1 – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- All free Functional Skills Maths Level 2 resources
Frequently asked questions
What is a formula in words?
A rule written as a sentence rather than with letters, such as ‘cooking time is 45 minutes per kilogram plus 20 minutes’. You use it in exactly the same way: multiply the weight by 45, then add 20.
How do I rearrange a formula in Functional Skills?
Work backwards, undoing each operation in reverse order. If cost = 2.80 + 1.65 × miles and the cost is £21.61, subtract 2.80 first (18.81) and then divide by 1.65 (11.4 miles).
Do I have to write my own formulas at Level 2?
Sometimes – you may be asked to write a formula for a cost with a fixed part and a variable part, or for the perimeter of a shape described in words. Name each letter, then write the calculation.
Want a tutor to mark your work? Not sure where you stand? Take the free 15-minute mini mock test. Ready to get qualified? Our live 10-week Functional Skills Level 2 Maths course runs in small groups with a mock exam included, and the 5-day revision course is there if your exam is close.