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Charts and diagrams

Charts and diagrams for A Level Combined Science Edexcel Foundation: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • A Level
  • Edexcel
  • Combined Science
  • Foundation
  • Spec A11
  • 12 min read
  • 9 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
4 min read

What is charts and diagrams?

Listen to this box

Transcript

A short spoken summary of charts and diagrams and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of charts and diagrams before you read the notes.
Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
2 rows

The charts and diagrams reference table

Practise the routine version until it is automatic, then move to the multi-step questions.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
Term
Meaning
Example
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
Row 3 column 1
Row 3 column 2
a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Learning

5 boxes
3 steps

How to work with charts and diagrams

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing charts and diagrams laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for charts and diagrams in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.
Answer: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
2 rules

Key facts: Charts and diagrams

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.

  • Rule 1

    How charts and diagrams behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

  • Rule 2

    How charts and diagrams behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
3 steps

How to work with charts and diagrams

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
Worth knowing: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for charts and diagrams in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
Answer: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0
3 rules

Key facts: Charts and diagrams

Practise the routine version until it is automatic, then move to the multi-step questions.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing charts and diagrams laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.

  • Rule 1

    How charts and diagrams behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left

  • Rule 2

    How charts and diagrams behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

  • Rule 3

    How charts and diagrams behaves in the 3rd of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
4 steps

How to work with charts and diagrams

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing charts and diagrams laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for charts and diagrams in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
  4. Check the answer against an estimate before writing it down.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.
Answer: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

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Examples

2 boxes
1 marks · worked

Worked example: charts and diagrams

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.
Worth knowing: ≈160\approx 160.
4 marks · worked

Practice question 9: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Practise the routine version until it is automatic, then move to the multi-step questions.

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Common questions

How many marks is charts and diagrams usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the A Level Combined Science Edexcel Foundation paper?
Yes — it sits in the Systems and hardware strand.