Pass Functional Skills logo

Curved graphs

Curved graphs for Access to HE Statistics: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • Access to HE
  • Statistics
  • Spec G18 · G11 · G5
  • 5 min read
  • 9 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
1 min read

What is curved graphs?

Listen to this box

Transcript

A short spoken summary of curved graphs and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of curved graphs before you read the notes.
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 curved graphs laid out step by step

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

The curved graphs reference table

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
Worth knowing: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.
Term
Meaning
Example
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Row 3 column 1
Row 3 column 2
x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

Learning

5 boxes
4 steps

How to work with curved graphs

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
Worth knowing: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for curved graphs 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: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
3 rules

Key facts: Curved graphs

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
Worth knowing: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.

  • Rule 1

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

  • Rule 2

    How curved graphs behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
4 steps

How to work with curved graphs

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 curved graphs laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for curved graphs 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: ≈160\approx 160.
Answer: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
2 rules

Key facts: Curved graphs

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.

  • Rule 1

    How curved graphs behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    49=7\sqrt{49} = 7

  • Rule 2

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

How to work with curved graphs

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing curved graphs laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for curved graphs 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: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
Answer: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7

20 minutes

Get your predicted grade

Twenty questions gives you a predicted grade, your target, and the gap between them — plus the topics that close it fastest.
Get my predicted grade

Examples

2 boxes
4 marks · worked

Worked example: curved graphs

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

Practice question 9: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

The specification wording is precise here, and the mark scheme follows that wording exactly.
Worth knowing: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.

Practice bank

Thousands of revision questions

Every topic is backed by graded practice with instant marking and full solutions.
Try it now
Practice questions
6,000+
Topics
10
Marking and solutions
Instant

Common questions

How many marks is curved graphs usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the Access to HE Statistics paper?
Yes — it sits in the Forces and motion strand.