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# formula

«formula» in Mova's school dictionary: **A rule written with letters and symbols that tells you…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (formula, formulas or formulae)

### meaning for a pupil

1) (maths) A rule written with letters and symbols that tells you how to work something out: area = length × width. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m1)

2) (science) A short way to write what a chemical is made of, using letters and numbers: H2O is water. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m2)

3) A set of steps or a recipe that brings a certain result: «a formula for success». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m3)

4) Powdered milk made for feeding babies. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m4)

5) A class of motor racing, such as Formula One. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m5)

6) A formula can also be a set form of words or a pattern repeated on certain occasions. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#m6)

### sense in the lessons

In maths a formula lets you put numbers in place of letters and get the answer; for example perimeter of a square = 4 × side. In science chemical formulas show the elements in a substance. In family life, babies may drink formula from a bottle. Phrases: use the formula, the formula for, baby formula, a magic formula, Formula One.

### examples

- The formula for the area of a rectangle is length times width. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x1)
- Using the formula, a square with sides of 5 cm has a perimeter of 20 cm. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x2)
- The chemical formula for water is H2O. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x3)
- The baby drinks formula from a bottle. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x4)
- There is no magic formula for getting good at piano; you have to practise. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x5)
- Formula One cars are incredibly fast. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x6)
- Write the formula, then put in the numbers. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x7)
- [87] This address is a formula, of frequent occurrence under similar circumstances. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/#x8)

### note

Plural: formulas (everyday and US) or formulae (more formal, UK science). Verb: formulate (to plan or express carefully). In maths problems, a formula tells you exactly which operations to do with the numbers.

### In the corpora

- [When the three disagree, a thinker has to weigh the reasons on each side; there is no simple formula.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/religion-ethics/37-rules-consequences-character/14/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «formula» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formula/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.