Edexcel IGCSE Maths June 2024 Paper 2H: question paper and mark scheme (4MA1)

3 4MA1 questions like these, with worked solutions

Written and checked by us, not taken from the Pearson paper. Try each one, then tap "Worked solution" to see every step and its marks.

1. Indices and Standard Form

   Evaluate ${32}^{\frac{3}{5}}$.

   Worked solution

   1. The denominator 5 means fifth root: $\sqrt[5]{32}=2$.
   2. Then cube: $2^3=8$.

   Answer: 8

2. HCF, LCM and Prime Factors

   Write 1260 as a product of prime factors in index form.

   Worked solution

   1. $1260=2\times 630=2\times 2\times 315$.
   2. $315=3\times 105=3\times 3\times 35=3\times 3\times 5\times 7$.
   3. So $1260=2^2\times 3^2\times 5\times 7$.

   Answer: $2^2\times 3^2\times 5\times 7$

3. Volume and Surface Area

   Find the total surface area of a closed cylinder with radius 5 cm and height 8 cm.

   Worked solution

   1. Two circles: $2\pi \times 25=50\pi$.
   2. Curved surface: $2\pi \times 5\times 8=80\pi$.
   3. Total $130\pi =408$ cm² (3 s.f.).

   Answer: $130\pi \approx 408$ cm²

More on these topics: Indices and Standard Form · HCF, LCM and Prime Factors · Volume and Surface Area

What was on this paper

Every question on 4MA1/2H, with the topic it tests, matched by us from Pearson's examiner report for the paper. Each topic opens our worked examples and exam-style questions on it.

4MA1/2H: question by question

Tap a question number to learn that topic and practise questions on it. Topic labels are ours (high confidence, checked 2026-09-26); the questions themselves are in the official paper.

1. Q1Statistical Measures 1 (3 marks) · Mean, Median and Mode
2. Q2Regions on Graphs 1: Linear Inequalities on a Grid (4 marks) · Inequalities on Graphs
3. Q3Compound Measures 1 (3 marks) · Units and Compound Measures
4. Q4Expressions and Formulae 1 (3 marks) · Algebraic Expressions
5. Q5Trigonometry 1 (3 marks) · Right-Angled Trigonometry
6. Q6Compound Measures 2 (3 marks) · Units and Compound Measures
7. Q7Perimeter and Area 1 (4 marks) · Area and Perimeter
8. Q8Ratio 1 (5 marks) · Ratio
9. Q9Simple and Compound Interest (3 marks) · Percentages
10. Q10Equations 1 (3 marks) · Linear Equations
11. Q11Quadratic Equations 1: Factorising & Solving by Factorisation (3 marks) · Quadratic Equations
12. Q12Statistical Measures 2 (3 marks) · Mean, Median and Mode
13. Q13Cumulative Frequency 1 (7 marks) · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
14. Q16Venn Diagrams 2: Cardinality & Counting (7 marks) · Sets and Venn Diagrams
15. Q17Direct Proportion (3 marks) · Direct and Inverse Proportion
16. Q18Linear Graphs 1 (2 marks) · Straight Line Graphs
17. Q19Upper and Lower Bounds 2 (3 marks) · Rounding and Bounds
18. Q20Rearranging Formulae 3: Subject Appears Twice (3 marks) · Rearranging Formulae
19. Q21Arcs, Sectors & Segments (5 marks) · Circles, Arcs and Sectors
20. Q22Quadratic Simultaneous Equations 1 (5 marks) · Simultaneous Equations
21. Q23Indices 2 (3 marks) · Indices and Standard Form
22. Q24Vectors 3: Geometric Proofs (6 marks) · Vectors
23. Q25Graph Transformations 1: f(x)+a, f(x+a) (2 marks) · Graph Transformations

Where marks were lost on this paper, and the fix

From Pearson's examiner report for this paper, in our own words. Try the question first, then check your working against each point.

• Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest (2H Q9). Fix: Use amount × multiplierⁿ. For depreciation the multiplier is below 1 (e.g. 0.85).
• Simultaneous equations with a quadratic: expanding (5 − x)² (2H Q22). Fix: Expand (a − x)² as a² − 2ax + x². Give each solution as an (x, y) pair.
• Cumulative frequency plotted at midpoints (2H Q13). Fix: Plot running totals at the upper class boundary and join with a smooth curve; show your reading lines.
• Graph transformations of f(x) (2H Q25). Fix: f(x + a): move left a; f(x) + a: up a; −f(x): reflect in x-axis; f(−x): reflect in y-axis. Read the scale.
• Upper and lower bounds: wrong combination and 8.449… (2H Q19). Fix: For a ÷ b, the upper bound is (upper a) ÷ (lower b). Use the exact bound value.
• Index equations with different bases (2H Q23). Fix: Rewrite each side as a power of the same prime, then equate the indices.
• Time conversions: 3 hours 36 minutes is not 3.36 hours. Fix: Divide minutes by 60. Check the units of the answer (km/h, m/s).

What the examiners said about this paper

Summarised in our own words from the board's examiner report (Examiner Insights).

• 4MA1/2H: Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest (Q9); Simultaneous equations with a quadratic (Q22); Cumulative frequency plotted at midpoints (Q13). Official examiner report ↗

Question-by-question topics, the top mistakes and what to focus on next →

Formula booklet

International GCSE Mathematics A formulae sheet (Higher tier) · Pearson Edexcel · 4MA1 specification, Appendix 5 (current)

4MA1 has no separate booklet: the Higher tier formulae sheet is printed inside every exam paper and in Appendix 5 of the specification (the link).