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AQA GCSE Biology

Maths and data skills for Biology — AQA GCSE Biology revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 5 minutes to read.

Calculations you must know

  • Percentage change = (change ÷ original) × 100.
  • Magnification = image size ÷ real size. Convert units first (1 mm = 1000 µm).
  • Rate = amount ÷ time. Watch the units asked for.
  • Standard form: 0.000 05 m = 5 × 10⁻⁵ m.

Graphs and data

  • Independent variable on the x-axis, dependent on the y-axis.
  • Draw a line of best fit, not dot-to-dot.
  • Calculate the mean, and identify anomalies before averaging.
  • Describe trends with numbers quoted from the graph.

Key terms

Mean
Total divided by the number of values.
Standard form
Writing numbers as a value between 1 and 10 × a power of 10.
Resolution
The smallest change an instrument can detect.
Anomaly
A result that doesn't fit the pattern of the rest of the data, usually excluded from a mean.
Uncertainty
The range within which the true value is likely to lie, often shown as ± a value.
Sample
A smaller group selected from a population, used to estimate results for the whole population.

Common exam traps

  • Dividing by the new value instead of the original in percentage change.
  • Forgetting units or significant figures.
  • Describing a graph without quoting any data.

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. A potato cylinder starts at 4.0 g and ends at 4.6 g. Calculate the percentage change in mass.

    Answer: +15%

    (0.6 ÷ 4.0) × 100 = 15%.

  2. 2. 0.000 002 m written in standard form is:

    • • 2 × 10⁻⁶ m
    • • 2 × 10⁶ m
    • • 20 × 10⁻⁵ m
    • • 2 × 10⁻⁵ m

    Answer: 2 × 10⁻⁶ m

    Move the decimal six places.

  3. 3. Which variable goes on the x-axis?

    Answer: The independent variable — the one you changed.

    Dependent (measured) goes on the y-axis.

  4. 4. 12 bubbles are counted in 30 seconds. Calculate the rate per minute.

    Answer: 24 bubbles per minute

    12 × 2 = 24.

  5. 5. Calculate the mean of these reaction times: 0.18 s, 0.22 s, 0.20 s.

    Answer: 0.20 s

    Add the values (0.60) and divide by 3 to get the mean, 0.20 s.

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