Edexcel IGCSE Maths November 2024 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. Algebraic Fractions

   Solve ${\displaystyle \frac{3}{x-1}}-{\displaystyle \frac{2}{x+1}}=1$.

   Worked solution

   1. Multiply every term by $(x-1)(x+1)$: $3(x+1)-2(x-1)=(x-1)(x+1)$.
   2. $x+5=x^2-1$, so $x^2-x-6=0$.
   3. $(x-3)(x+2)=0$, giving $x=3$ or $x=-2$.

   Answer: $x=3$ or $x=-2$

2. Congruent Triangles

   Two triangles each have sides 5 cm and 8 cm with an included angle of ${70}^{\circ }$. Are they congruent?

   Worked solution

   1. Two sides and the angle between them are equal.
   2. Yes: congruent by SAS.

   Answer: Yes (SAS)

3. Sets and Venn Diagrams

   $A=\{1,2,3,4,5\}$, $B=\{4,5,6,7\}$. Find $A\cup B$ and $A\cap B$.

   Worked solution

   1. Union: everything in either set, $\{1,2,3,4,5,6,7\}$.
   2. Intersection: in both, $\{4,5\}$.

   Answer: $\{1,\dots ,7\}$; $\{4,5\}$

More on these topics: Algebraic Fractions · Congruent Triangles · Sets and Venn Diagrams

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. Q1Statistical Measures 1 · Mean, Median and Mode
2. Q2Constructions 1 · Bearings and Constructions
3. Q3Indices 1 · Indices and Standard Form, Expanding and Factorising
4. Q4Sets 1: Set Language & Notation · Sets and Venn Diagrams
5. Q5Converting Units of Length, Area, Volume & Capacity · Units and Compound Measures, Volume and Surface Area
6. Q6Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) · HCF, LCM and Prime Factors
7. Q7Percentage 2 · Percentages
8. Q8Quadratic Equations 1: Factorising & Solving by Factorisation · Quadratic Equations
9. Q9Rounding Numbers and Using a Calculator · Rounding and Bounds
10. Q10Similarity 1: Similar Polygons · Similar Shapes
11. Q11Graphs 2 · Quadratic and Cubic Graphs
12. Q12Trigonometry 2 · Right-Angled Trigonometry
13. Q13Probability 3: Probability Trees · Tree Diagrams and Conditional Probability
14. Q14Inverse Proportion (and y ∝ xⁿ variation) · Direct and Inverse Proportion
15. Q15Brackets 3 · Expanding and Factorising
16. Q16Arcs, Sectors & Segments · Circles, Arcs and Sectors
17. Q17Surds 1: Simplifying, Expanding & Rationalising · Surds
18. Q18Representing Data 2 · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
19. Q19Sequences 3: Sum of an Arithmetic Series · Sequences
20. Q20Differentiation 4: Stationary Points · Differentiation
21. Q21Upper and Lower Bounds 1 · Rounding and Bounds, Rounding and Bounds
22. Q22Volume & Surface Area 2: Cones, Spheres, Pyramids & Frustums · Volume and Surface Area
23. Q23Differentiation 3: Tangents & Normals · Differentiation
24. Q24Vectors 2: Vector Arithmetic · Vectors, Vectors
25. Q25Completing the Square 2 · Completing the Square

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 Q7). Fix: Write "original × multiplier = new", then divide. Check by multiplying back.
• Completing the square with a negative x² coefficient (1H Q25). Fix: Factor out the coefficient of x² (with its sign), complete the square inside, then multiply back carefully.
• Histograms: reading heights as frequencies (1H Q18). Fix: Frequency = frequency density × class width. Use a bar you know to work out the scale.
• Upper and lower bounds: wrong combination and 8.449… (1H Q21). Fix: For a ÷ b, the upper bound is (upper a) ÷ (lower b). Use the exact bound value.
• Differentiation: forgetting the negative root and the context (1H Q20). Fix: Write ± when square-rooting. "Turning point", "gradient" and "maximum" all mean differentiate.

What the examiners said about this paper

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

• 4MA1/1H: Reverse percentages (Q7); Completing the square with a negative x² coefficient (Q25); Histograms (Q18). 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).