Maths questions
Maths questions will appear throughout both exam papers, and at both Foundation tier and Higher tier.
Don't forget to take a ruler and calculator into the exam.
Maths questions often start with the command word 'Calculate', followed by a blank space for 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 wrong.
Always include the correct units for your answer, unless they are already given on the answer line. This may earn you an additional mark.
Check carefully to see if the question tells you to round your answer to a particular number of significant figures or decimal places. Don't forget to check your rounding.
Other command words you might see in maths questions include:
- 'predict' - look at some data and suggest an outcome - don't just guess, look at trends in the data and use your scientific knowledge and understanding to make a sensible suggestion
- 'estimate' - suggest a rough value without doing a calculation - don’t just guess, use your scientific knowledge and understanding to make a sensible suggestion
- 'show' - write down the details, steps or calculations to prove that an answer is correct
Maths questions might include tables and graphs as well as calculations. When drawing a graph, make sure you:
- put the independent variable (the factor you changed) on the x-axis
- put the dependent variable (the factor you measured) on the y-axis
- construct regular scales for the axes
- label each axis with the quantity and units, eg time (s)
- plot each point accurately
- decide whether the origin (0,0) should be used as a data point
- draw a straight or curved line of best fit if appropriate
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Learn maths skills with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Brush up on the maths you need for your exam - percentages, averages and converting units.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Here is a list of very small particles. They are not in the correct order.
A water molecule
B electron
C proton
D atom
E atomic nucleus
Put the particles in order of size from smallest to largest. The first one has been done for you. [2 marks]
B electron
B electron
C proton
E atomic nucleus
D atom
A water molecule
[2]
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
What is the order of magnitude estimate for the diameter of an atom? Select the correct answer. [1 mark]
| A | 10-3 m | |
| B | 10-6 m | |
| C | 10-9 m | |
| D | 109 m | |
| E | 10-10 m |
| A |
|---|
| 10-3 m |
| B |
|---|
| 10-6 m |
| C |
|---|
| 10-9 m |
| D |
|---|
| 109 m |
| E |
|---|
| 10-10 m |
| A | 10-3 m | |
| B | 10-6 m | |
| C | 10-9 m | |
| D | 109 m | |
| E | 10-10 m | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| 10-3 m |
| B |
|---|
| 10-6 m |
| C |
|---|
| 10-9 m |
| D |
|---|
| 109 m |
| E |
|---|
| 10-10 m |
| ✔ |
Sample question 3 - Foundation
Question
What is the order of magnitude estimate for the length of a 12 carbon chain molecule with formula C12H26? Show your working. [2 marks]
- the order of magnitude estimate for a single atom is 10-10 m
- 12 × 10-10 [1]
- = 1.2 × 10-9 m [1]
- so the order of magnitude estimate of the size of the molecule is 10-9 m
Sample question 4 - Foundation
Question
The diameter of an atom is 50,000 times greater than the diameter of a nucleus.
In a model, a football with diameter 0.3 m represents a nucleus.
Estimate the size of an atom in this model and write your answer in standard form. Show your working. [2 marks]
- 0.3 × 50,000 = 15,000 m [1]
- which is 1.5 × 104 m in standard form [1]
