Edexcel IGCSE Maths November 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. Percentages

   A price rises from £64 to £80. Find the percentage increase.

   Worked solution

   1. Increase: $80-64=16$.
   2. ${\displaystyle \frac{16}{64}}\times 100=25\mathrm{\%}$.

   Answer: 25%

2. Completing the Square

   Write $x^2+14x+20$ in the form $(x+p{)}^2+q$.

   Worked solution

   1. Halve 14: $(x+7{)}^2=x^2+14x+49$.
   2. $x^2+14x+20=(x+7{)}^2-49+20$.
   3. $=(x+7{)}^2-29$.

   Answer: $(x+7{)}^2-29$

3. Direct and Inverse Proportion

   $y$ is inversely proportional to $x$. When $x=4$, $y=6$. Find $y$ when $x=3$.

   Worked solution

   1. $y={\displaystyle \frac{k}{x}}$: $k=24$.
   2. $y={\displaystyle \frac{24}{3}}=8$.

   Answer: 8

More on these topics: Percentages · Completing the Square · Direct and Inverse Proportion

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. Q1Fractions 2 · Fractions and Decimals
2. Q2Upper and Lower Bounds 1 · Rounding and Bounds
3. Q3Trigonometry 1 · Right-Angled Trigonometry
4. Q4Percentage 2 · Percentages
5. Q5Probability 2: Experimental & Relative Freq. · Probability
6. Q6Surface Area 1: Prisms & Cylinders · Volume and Surface Area
7. Q7Regions on Graphs 1: Linear Inequalities on a Grid · Inequalities on Graphs
8. Q8Ratio 1 · Ratio
9. Q9Simple and Compound Interest · Percentages
10. Q10Perimeter and Area 1 · Area and Perimeter
11. Q11Polygons 2 · Angles and Polygons
12. Q12Equations 3 · Linear Equations
13. Q13Cumulative Frequency 1 · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
14. Q14Indices 2 · Indices and Standard Form
15. Q15Recurring Decimals to Fractions · Recurring Decimals
16. Q16Circle Theorems 1: Angles in Circle · Circle Theorems
17. Q17Vectors 3: Geometric Proofs · Vectors
18. Q18Similarity 1: Similar Polygons · Similar Shapes
19. Q19Graph Transformations 1: f(x)+a, f(x+a) · Graph Transformations
20. Q20Quadratic Inequalities (algebra & graphs) · Inequalities
21. Q21Sets 1: Set Language & Notation · Sets and Venn Diagrams
22. Q22Quadratic Simultaneous Equations 1 · Simultaneous Equations
23. Q23Algebraic Fractions 1: Simplifying · Algebraic Fractions
24. Q24Harder Trigonometry in 3D 2 · Sine and Cosine Rules
25. Q25Harder Trigonometry Problems 1 · Sine and Cosine Rules

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 (2H Q4). Fix: Write "original × multiplier = new", then divide. Check by multiplying back.
• 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 Q19). 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.
• Quadratic inequalities: the final answer (2H Q20). Fix: Sketch: between the roots for < 0, outside for > 0. Write one combined inequality or two with "or".
• Index equations with different bases (2H Q14). Fix: Rewrite each side as a power of the same prime, then equate the indices.
• Circle theorems: reasons not in the recognised wording (2H Q16). 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).

• 4MA1/2H: Reverse percentages (Q4); Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest (Q9); Simultaneous equations with a quadratic (Q22). 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).