GCSE Mathematics Foundation Tier: Key Vocabulary & Formulas

Vocabulary and essential mathematical concepts covering geometry formulas, probability definitions, numerical methods, and constructions from the GCSE Mathematics Foundation Tier Unit M6 Paper 2.

Area of a trapezium

The measure of surface area calculated by the formula $\frac{1}{2}(a + b)h$, where $a$ and $b$ represent the lengths of the parallel sides and $h$ represents the perpendicular height.

Volume of a prism

The three-dimensional space enclosed by a prism, calculated using the formula $\text{area of cross section} \times \text{length}$.

Probability

A numerical scale measuring the likelihood of an event occurring, which must always take a value between $0$ and $1$ (inclusive) or $0\%$ and $100\%$.

Relative frequency

An experimental estimate of probability determined by dividing the number of times an event occurs by the total number of observations or trials.

Perpendicular bisector

A line constructed using a ruler and compasses that cuts a line segment into two equal halves at an angle of $90^\circ$.

Trial and improvement

An iterative numerical technique used to find the approximate solution to an algebraic equation (such as $x^3 - x = 32$) by systematically testing values and refining estimates to a required degree of accuracy.

Regular pentagon

A five-sided polygon with all sides of equal length and all five interior angles equal to $108^\circ$.

Equilateral triangle

A three-sided regular polygon with three sides of equal length and each interior angle measuring $60^\circ$.

Limits of accuracy

The upper and lower bounds of a rounded number; for a measurement of $14\,\text{kg}$ rounded to the nearest kilogram, the smallest value is $13.5\,\text{kg}$ and the largest is less than $14.5\,\text{kg}$.

Map scale

The ratio comparing a distance measured on a map to the actual distance on the ground (for example, $1\,\text{cm} : 4\,\text{km}$).