PAss Functional Skills

Quadratic expressions

Quadratic expressions for Functional Skills Physics: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • Functional Skills
  • Physics
  • Spec G9 · G13
  • 12 min read
  • 9 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
2 min read

What is quadratic expressions?

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Transcript

A short spoken summary of quadratic expressions and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of quadratic expressions 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 quadratic expressions laid out step by step

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

The quadratic expressions reference table

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
Term
Meaning
Example
Common slip
Marks
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
≈160\approx 160
Row 1 column 4
Row 1 column 5
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
Row 2 column 4
Row 2 column 5
Row 3 column 1
Row 3 column 2
≈160\approx 160
Row 3 column 4
Row 3 column 5

Learning

5 boxes
5 steps

How to work with quadratic expressions

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for quadratic expressions 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: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
Answer: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
2 rules

Key facts: Quadratic expressions

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
Worth knowing: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.

  • Rule 1

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

  • Rule 2

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

  • Rule 3

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 3rd of the cases the specification names.
    ≈160\approx 160
4 steps

How to work with quadratic expressions

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 quadratic expressions 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 quadratic expressions 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: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0
3 rules

Key facts: Quadratic expressions

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing quadratic expressions 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.

  • Rule 1

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    ≈160\approx 160

  • Rule 2

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

  • Rule 3

    How quadratic expressions behaves in the 3rd of the cases the specification names.
    34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
3 steps

How to work with quadratic expressions

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for quadratic expressions 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: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}

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Examples

2 boxes
3 marks · worked

Worked example: quadratic expressions

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
4 marks · worked

Practice question 9: ≈160\approx 160

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.

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Common questions

How many marks is quadratic expressions usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the Functional Skills Physics paper?
Yes — it sits in the Transformations strand.