IGCSE Math RevisionWorked example 1: Area unit conversion
Convert 7 500 cm² into m².
Solution
- 1 m = 100 cm, so 1 m² =
Answer: 0.75 m²
3 steps
Tip: For area, square the length conversion; for volume, cube it.
Edexcel IGCSE Maths (4MA1) · Unit 1: Number
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Units and Compound Measures: Exam 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 8 exam-style questions yourself and check your working against the mark scheme.
- 3 worked examples
- 8 questions with mark schemes
- Higher tier · calculator allowed
- Free, no sign-in
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- Question 2 of 5
- Question 3 of 5
- Question 4 of 5
- Question 5 of 5
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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
- Speed
Answer: 90 km/h
3 steps
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.
Answer: 108 g
3 steps
Tip: Check units: g/cm³ × cm³ = g.
Where students lose marks on units and compound measures
Examiner's noteTime conversions: 3 hours 36 minutes is not 3.36 hours
Where marks are lost: Compound-measure questions go wrong because minutes are treated as decimals of an hour, and answers are not in the simplest form asked for.
Flagged in the June 2024 reports. Summarised in our own words from Pearson Edexcel examiner reports. Read the full note →
Units and Compound Measures exam-style questions
Try each question before you open the answer (one has its full worked solution open). 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 4 500 cm³ into litres.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- B1 4.5 cao
Answer: 4.5 litres
Question 3
Convert 250 000 cm² into m².
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 250 000 ÷ 10 000
- A1 25 cao
Answer: 25 m²
Question 4
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 5
A cuboid tank measures 1.2 m by 80 cm by 50 cm. Work out the capacity of the tank in litres.
Full worked solution Free, no sign-in
- M1 consistent units, e.g. 120 × 80 × 50 (= 480 000 cm³) or 1.2 × 0.8 × 0.5 (= 0.48 m³)
- M1 ÷ 1000 or × 1000 as appropriate
- A1 480 cao
Answer: 480 litres
Every question here has a full worked solution. See them all →
Question 6
A field has an area of 3.5 hectares, where 1 hectare = 10 000 m². Write the area of the field in km².
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 3.5 × 10 000 (= 35 000 m²) and division by 1 000 000
- A1 0.035 cao
Answer: 0.035 km²
Question 7
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
Question 8
An empty cuboid tank measures 90 cm by 60 cm by 75 cm. Water flows into it at 18 litres per minute. How long does it take to fill the tank? Give your answer in minutes and seconds.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- M1 90 × 60 × 75 (= 405 000 cm³) and ÷ 1000 (= 405 litres)
- M1 their 405 ÷ 18 (= 22.5)
- A1 22 minutes 30 seconds
Answer: 22 minutes 30 seconds
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.
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