IGCSE Math RevisionMaths command words: what the question is asking
A4 portrait. It is drawn in vector form, so it also prints sharply scaled up to A3.
The poster
The maths
Exam questions start with a command word that tells you what to do. Calculate / Find: Work out a value, and show the working that gets you there. Show that: The answer is given. Write every step so the reader can follow you to it. Hence: Use the result you have just found to answer this part. Sketch: Draw the shape with its key features labelled. It need not be to scale. Explain / Justify: Give a reason in words, linked to the maths. Write down / State: Little or no working needed: the answer should be quick to see. General meanings in our own words. Your exam board publishes its own list of command words: check its exact definitions.