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.
Learn maths skills with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on ±«Óătv Sounds.
Brush up on the maths you need for your exam - percentages, averages and converting units.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Blue light has a wavelength of 470 nm and a frequency of 6.30 Ă— 1014 Hz
Calculate the velocity of blue light. [2 marks]
Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
Recall the equation: velocity = frequency Ă— wavelength, and remember to write down your working out. Don't forget to convert nm (nanometres) into m (metres).
\(v = 6.3 \times 10^{14} \times 470 \times 10^{-9}\)
\(= 2.96 \times 10^{8} ~m/s\)
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
The linear magnification of a thin lens is given the symbol M. The following equation for M is used for lenses in cameras.
\(M = \frac{f}{d-f}\)
Where f is the focal length of the lens and d is the distance between the lens and an object.
A lens has a focal length of 12 cm.
a) Use the equation to calculate M when the distance from an object to the lens is 14 cm. [2 marks]
b) Use the equation to calculate M when the distance from an object to the lens is 11 cm. [1 mark]
Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
a) This is an unfamiliar equation, however you should substitute the correct numbers into the equation and perform the calculation. Remember to show your working.
\(M = \frac{12}{14-12}\)
\(= 6\)
b) \(M = \frac{12}{11-12}\)
\(= -12\)
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Blue light has a wavelength of 470 nm. Calculate the frequency of blue light. [3 marks]
Speed of light \(c = 3.0 \times 10^{8} ~m/s\)
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
Recall the equation: velocity = frequency × wavelength. You must rearrange the equation and remember to write down your working out. Don’t forget to convert nm (nanometres) into m (metres).
\(f = \frac{v}{\lambda }\)
\(= \frac{3.0 \times 10^{8}}{470 \times 10^{-9}}\)
\(= 6.4 \times 10^{14} ~Hz\)