7.0 Mathematical requirements

Students will be required to demonstrate the following mathematics skills in GCSE Physics assessments.

Questions will target maths skills at a level of demand appropriate to each subject. In Foundation Tier papers questions assessing maths requirements will not be lower than that expected at Key Stage 3 (as outlined in Mathematics Programmes of Study: Key Stage 3 by the DfE, document reference DFE-00179-2013). In Higher Tier papers questions assessing maths requirements will not be lower than that of questions and tasks in assessments for the Foundation Tier in a GCSE Qualification in Mathematics.

1 Arithmetic and numerical computation
aRecognise and use expressions in decimal form
bRecognise and use expressions in standard form
cUse ratios, fractions and percentages
dMake estimates of the results of simple calculations
2 Handling data
aUse an appropriate number of significant figures
bFind arithmetic means
cConstruct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams, bar charts and histograms
fUnderstand the terms mean, mode and median
gUse a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables
hMake order of magnitude calculations
3 Algebra
aUnderstand and use the symbols: =, <, <<, >>, >, ∝ , ~
bChange the subject of an equation
cSubstitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities
dSolve simple algebraic equations
4 Graphs
aTranslate information between graphical and numeric form
bUnderstand that y = mx + c represents a linear relationship
cPlot two variables from experimental or other data
dDetermine the slope and intercept of a linear graph
eDraw and use the slope of a tangent to a curve as a measure of rate of change
fUnderstand the physical significance of area between a curve and the x-axis and measure it by counting squares as appropriate
5 Geometry and trigonometry
aUse angular measures in degrees
bVisualise and represent 2D and 3D forms including two dimensional representations of 3D objects
cCalculate areas of triangles and rectangles, surface areas and volumes of cubes

Mathematical skills references are taken from the DfE subject criteria. Where there is a break in a sequence, the 'missing' references are criteria not applicable to GCSE Physics and have been deliberately omitted from this list.