Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics

b 42.2 − 5.1 ≈ 40
40 5 In this question you begin by rounding each
value to one significant figure but it is worth
= 35
noting that you can only easily take the square
≈ 36 root of a square number! Round 35 up to 36 to
=6 get a square number.

A good starting point for the questions in the following exercise will be to round the numbers to
1 significant figure. Remember that you can sometimes make your calculation even simpler by
modifying your numbers again.

Exercise 5.15 1 Estimate the value of each of the following. Show the rounded values that you use.
23.6 43 7.21
21 0.46
a b c
63 0.087 × 3.889 9 009
4.82
82 6.01 48
d e f (0.45 + 1.89)(6.5 – 1.9)
2.54
54 1.09 2.5544 4.09
23.8 20.2 109.6 4455 1
g h i (2.52)2 4488.99
4.7 + 5.7 19.4 1133.9
j 223.8 4455.1 k 9.26
26 9999.887 l (4.1)3 × (1.9)4

2 Work out the actual answer for each part of question 1, using a calculator.

Summary
Do you know the following? Are you able to. . . ?
• An equivalent fraction can be found by multiplying or • find a fraction of a number
dividing the numerator and denominator by the same
number.
• find a percentage of a number
• find one number as a percentage of another number
• Fractions can be added or subtracted, but you must
• calculate a percentage increase or decrease
make sure that you have a common denominator first.
• To multiply two fractions you multiply their numerators • find a value before a percentage change E
and multiply their denominators. • do calculations with numbers written in
standard form
• To divide by a fraction you find its reciprocal and then
• find an estimate to a calculation.
multiply.
• Percentages are fractions with a denominator of 100.
• Percentage increases and decreases are always
percentages of the original value.
• You can use reverse percentages to find the original E
value.
• Standard form can be used to write very large or very
small numbers quickly.
• Estimations can be made by rounding the numbers in a
calculation to one significant figure.

120 Unit 2: Number

Examination practice
Exam-style questions
5  1 1
1 Calculate + giving your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
6  4 8
2 93 800 students took an examination.
19% received grade A.
24% received grade B.
31% received grade C.
10% received grade D.
11% received grade E.
The rest received grade U.
a What percentage of the students received grade U?
b What fraction of the students received grade B? Give your answer in its lowest terms.
c How many students received grade A?

3 During one summer there were 27 500 cases of Salmonella poisoning in Britain. The next summer there was an
increase of 9% in the number of cases. Calculate how many cases there were in the second year.

4 Abdul’s height was 160 cm on his 15th birthday. It was 172 cm on his 16th birthday. What was the percentage increase
in his height?

Past paper questions

1 Write 0.0000574 in standard form. [1]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 22 Q1 May/June 2016]

2 Do not use a calculator in this question and show all the steps of your working.
Give each answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
Work out
3 1
a − [2]
4 12
1 4
b 2 × [2]
2 25
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 11 Q21 October/November 2013]

3 Calculate 17.5% of 44 kg. [2]

[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 11 Q10 October/November 2013]

4 Without using your calculator, work out

3 1
5 −2 .
8 5
Give your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
You must show all your working. [3]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 13 Q17 October/November 2012]

5 Samantha invests $600 at a rate of 2% per year simple interest.

Calculate the interest Samantha earns in 8 years. [2]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 13 Q5 October/November 2012]

Unit 2: Number 121

 2 2
 1  2
6 Show that   +   = 0 117
 10   5
Write down all the steps in your working. [2]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 13 Q6 October/November 2012]

7 Maria pays $84 rent.

The rent is increased by 5%. Calculate Maria’s new rent. [2]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 13 Q10 October/November 2012]

8 Huy borrowed $4500 from a bank at a rate of 5% per year compound interest.
He paid back the money and interest at the end of 2 years.
How much interest did he pay? [3]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 13 Q13 May/June 2013]

9 Jasijeet and her brother collect stamps.

When Jasjeet gives her brother 1% of her stamps, she has 2475 stamps left.
Calculate how many stamps Jasjeet had originally [3]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 22 Q14 October/November 2014]
5 3
10 Without using a calculator, work out 2 × .
8 7
Show all your working and give your answer as a mixed number in its lowest terms. [3]
[Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 Paper 22 Q14 May/June 2016]

122 Unit 2: Number