IGCSE Math RevisionWorked example 1: Area unit conversion
Convert 7 500 cm² into m².
Solution
- 1 m = 100 cm, so 1 m² = \(100^2=10\,000\) cm².
- \(7500\div10\,000=0.75\).
Answer: 0.75 m²
Tip: For area, square the length conversion; for volume, cube it.
Edexcel IGCSE Maths (4MA1) · Unit 1: Number
IGCSE Maths Units and Compound Measures Questions and Answers
Units and Compound Measures questions with full solutions for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1), Higher tier. Read the 3 worked examples first, then try the 3 exam-style questions yourself and check your working against the mark scheme.
- 3 worked examples
- 3 questions with mark schemes
- Higher tier · calculator allowed
- Free, no sign-in
What this topic covers
- Converting Units of Length, Area, Volume & Capacity: Converting between metric units of length, area, volume and capacity.
- Compound Measures 1: Speed, density and pressure calculations.
- Compound Measures 2: Multi-step compound-measure problems.
Units and Compound Measures worked examples
Worked example 2: Speed
A car travels 150 km in 1 hour 40 minutes. Find its average speed.
Solution
- 1 hour 40 minutes \(=1\tfrac{2}{3}\) hours.
- Speed \(=150\div1\tfrac{2}{3}=90\) km/h.
Answer: 90 km/h
Tip: 40 minutes is 2/3 of an hour, not 0.4.
Worked example 3: Density
A metal has density 2.7 g/cm³. Find the mass of 40 cm³ of the metal.
Solution
- Mass = density × volume.
- \(2.7\times40=108\) g.
Answer: 108 g
Tip: Check units: g/cm³ × cm³ = g.
Units and Compound Measures exam-style questions
Try each question before you open the answer. The mark schemes use Edexcel-style marks: M for method, A for accuracy (after the method mark), B for an independent result.
Question 1
Convert 3.6 m² into cm².
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 3.6 × 100² or 3.6 × 10 000
- A1 36 000 cao
Answer: 36 000 cm²
Question 2
Convert 0.08 m³ into cm³.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 0.08 × 100³ or 0.08 × 1 000 000
- A1 80 000 cao
Answer: 80 000 cm³
Question 3
A rectangular floor measures 4.8 m by 3.6 m. It is covered exactly with square tiles of side 40 cm. How many tiles are needed?
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 converts to the same units, e.g. 480 cm and 360 cm
- M1 480 ÷ 40 × 360 ÷ 40 or 172 800 ÷ 1600
- A1 108 cao
Answer: 108 tiles
Every question and worked example here is original, written for IGCSE Math Revision rather than copied from Pearson papers, and each answer was re-solved independently before publishing.
Revise units and compound measures for the exam
- Unit 1 practice: Number in the student hub (more questions with mark schemes)
- IGCSE Maths revision notes for this topic and the IGCSE Maths formula sheet
- Edexcel IGCSE Maths 4MA1 past papers to practise under exam conditions
- IGCSE Maths 4MA1 examiner report summary: where students lose marks
Questions students ask
Which Edexcel IGCSE Maths papers test units and compound measures?
Either Higher tier paper, 1H or 2H, can test units and compound measures: both cover the whole Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) specification and both allow a calculator. Show your method, because most marks are for working.
Where can I practise more units and compound measures questions?
In the IGCSE student hub: Unit 1 (Number) has more exam-style questions on this topic, each with a mark scheme. Practice starts with a 7-day free trial; the worked examples and questions on this page are free.