Maths questions
Maths questions often start with the command words 'calculate' or 'determine'. They will then have a blank space for you to show your working. It is important that you show your working, don't just write the answer down. You might earn marks for your working even if you get the answer incorrect.
Some maths questions might ask you to 'show that' something is true. These questions often require you to prove something mathematically. For example, you might have to calculate two values and then compare them.
In some maths questions you will be required to give the units. This may earn you an additional mark. Don't forget to check whether you need to do this.
Maths questions might include graphs and tables as well as calculations. Don't forget to take a ruler and calculator.
If drawing graphs, make sure you:
- put the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis
- construct regular scales for the axes
- label the axes appropriately
- plot each point accurately
- draw a straight or curved line of best fit (you can use a special best fit line ruler to help with this)
If you are asked to calculate an answer and it has lots of significant figures, you should try to round it to the same number of significant figures you were given in the data in the question. Don't forget to check your rounding.
Edexcel questions courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
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Sample question 1 - Foundation and Higher
Question
A car accelerates at a constant rate of 1.83 m/s2 along a flat straight road. The force acting on the car is 1.870 kN.
a) Calculate the mass of the car. Give your answer to three significant figures. [3 marks]
The car accelerates from rest for 16 s.
b) Calculate the speed of the car after 16 s. [3 marks]
a)\(m = \frac{F}{a}\) [1]
\(= \frac{1,870}{1.83}\) [1]
= 1,020 kg [1]
Recall an equation linking acceleration, force and mass. Remember to convert kN into N and give your answer to three significant figures, with the correct unit.
b)\(v = a~t\) [1]
= 1.83 x 16 [1]
= 29.3 m/s [1]
Recall an equation linking velocity, acceleration and time.
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
A car starts on a journey.
The graph shows the graph of the car's movement.
Show that the distance travelled when the car is moving at a constant speed is greater than the distance travelled when the car is slowing down. [4 marks]
Calculate area under section AB: 16 × (30 - 15) = 240 m [1]
Calculate area under section CD: 0.5 × (50 - 40) × 30 = 150 m [1]
240 m > 150 m [1], so the distance travelled at constant speed is greater than the distance travelled whilst slowing down [1].
In a velocity-time graph the distance travelled is given by the area under the line. The constant speed section is between A and B. This shape is a rectangle. The slowing down section is between C and D. The shape is a triangle.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Some students investigate a model of the craters produced by meteorite impacts. They drop balls into a tray filled with sand. When one ball hits the sand, it has a velocity of 6.2 m/s. It has a momentum of 0.46 kg m/s.
a) Calculate the mass of the ball. [3 marks]
The ball takes 0.17 s to come to rest after it hits the sand.
b) Calculate the average impact force. [2 marks]
a)\(m = \frac{P}{v}\) [1]
\(= \frac{0.46}{6.2}\) [1]
Mass = 0.074 kg [1]
Recall an equation linking mass, momentum and velocity. Rearrange and substitute the numbers in. Make sure you clearly show your working and give the unit.
b)\(F = \frac{P}{t}\) [1]
\(= \frac{0.46}{0.17}\)
Force = 2.7 N [1]
Recall an equation linking force, change in momentum and change in time. Substitute the numbers into the equation. Make sure you clearly show your working and give the unit.