Edexcel IGCSE Maths November 2023 Paper 1H: 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

   Work out $(7\times {10}^5)\times (6\times {10}^{-2})$, giving your answer in standard form.

   Worked solution

   1. Multiply the numbers: $7\times 6=42$.
   2. Add the powers: ${10}^{5+(-2)}={10}^3$.
   3. $42\times {10}^3=4.2\times {10}^4$.

   Answer: $4.2\times {10}^4$

2. Quadratic Equations

   Solve $x^2+2x-15=0$.

   Worked solution

   1. Two numbers multiplying to $-15$ and adding to $2$: $5$ and $-3$.
   2. $(x+5)(x-3)=0$.
   3. $x=-5$ or $x=3$.

   Answer: $x=-5$ or $x=3$

3. Sequences

   Find the nth term of 2, 9, 16, 23, …

   Worked solution

   1. Common difference 7, so start with $7n$: 7, 14, 21, 28.
   2. Each term is 5 less, so the nth term is $7n-5$.

   Answer: $7n-5$

More on these topics: Indices and Standard Form · Quadratic Equations · Sequences

What was on this paper

Every question on 4MA1/1H, 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.

4MA1/1H: 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. Q1Sets 1: Set Language & Notation · Sets and Venn Diagrams
2. Q2Brackets 1 · Expanding and Factorising
3. Q3Percentage 1 · Percentages
4. Q4Probability 1: Theoretical Probability · Probability
5. Q5Circles 1: Circumference & Area · Circles, Arcs and Sectors
6. Q6Percentage 2 · Percentages
7. Q7Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) · HCF, LCM and Prime Factors
8. Q8Regions on Graphs 1: Linear Inequalities on a Grid · Inequalities on Graphs
9. Q9Standard Form 1 · Indices and Standard Form
10. Q10Trigonometry 1 · Right-Angled Trigonometry
11. Q11Algebraic Fractions 2: Operations · Algebraic Fractions
12. Q12Graphs 2 · Quadratic and Cubic Graphs
13. Q13Cumulative Frequency 1 · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
14. Q14Circle Theorems 1: Angles in Circle · Circle Theorems
15. Q15Rearranging Formulae 3: Subject Appears Twice · Rearranging Formulae
16. Q16Differentiation 4: Stationary Points · Differentiation
17. Q17Representing Data 2 · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
18. Q18Harder Trigonometry Problems 1 · Sine and Cosine Rules
19. Q19Sequences 3: Sum of an Arithmetic Series · Sequences
20. Q20Conditional Probability 1: Tree Diagrams · Tree Diagrams and Conditional Probability
21. Q21Harder Trigonometry in 3D 1 · Sine and Cosine Rules
22. Q22Parallel and Perpendicular Lines · Straight Line Graphs
23. Q23Similarity 3: Volume Scale Factors · Similar Shapes, Similar Shapes
24. Q24Graph Transformations 3: Combined · 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.

• Reverse percentages: finding a percentage of the new amount (1H Q6). Fix: Write "original × multiplier = new", then divide. Check by multiplying back.
• Histograms: reading heights as frequencies (1H Q17). Fix: Frequency = frequency density × class width. Use a bar you know to work out the scale.
• Cumulative frequency plotted at midpoints (1H Q13). Fix: Plot running totals at the upper class boundary and join with a smooth curve; show your reading lines.
• Similar shapes: length scale factor used for area or volume (1H Q23). Fix: Find the length scale factor k first; area × k², volume × k³.
• Graph transformations of f(x) (1H Q24). 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.
• Differentiation: forgetting the negative root and the context (1H Q16). Fix: Write ± when square-rooting. "Turning point", "gradient" and "maximum" all mean differentiate.
• Probability tables: dividing the remainder by the wrong number. Fix: Count the outcomes that share the remaining probability. For "given" questions, restrict the sample space first.
• Circle theorems: reasons not in the recognised wording (1H Q14). Fix: Learn the exact wording of each theorem and quote it with the angle it justifies.

What the examiners said about this paper

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

• 4MA1/1H: Reverse percentages (Q6); Histograms (Q17); 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).