{"id":44,"date":"2016-06-25T14:59:01","date_gmt":"2016-06-25T13:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mrsphysics.co.uk\/n5\/?p=44"},"modified":"2025-11-25T07:38:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T07:38:26","slug":"dont-panic-about-your-maths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mrsphysics.co.uk\/index.php\/2016\/06\/25\/dont-panic-about-your-maths\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Panic about Your Maths."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"maths<\/p>\n

Here are some documents to help you through the maths that you’ll need for your Physics. Don’t panic! You can easily learn the maths, but you’ll need to practice it regularly.<\/p>\n

Maths For Physics<\/a>\u00a0Notes<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Need a piece of graph paper? Download it here<\/span> multiwidth graph grey<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Relationship Sheet and Data Sheet<\/strong>. Why not make some flashcards using the information and leave them as a pile by the biscuit tin. Before tucking in set yourself a target of how many to get right!<\/p>\n

Physics N5 Relationship Sheet<\/a>\u00a0The relationship sheet you’ll have during your SQA exams. Make sure you’ve got an annotated copy.<\/p>\n

Physics N5 Data Sheet<\/a>\u00a0The data sheet will be on page two of your section 1. It is important that you get used to using it.<\/p>\n

basic maths with answer.<\/a> Here is a document for you to test out whether you can know your prefixes, scientific notation and significant figures.<\/p>\n

Prefixes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Prefix<\/u><\/td>\nSymbol<\/u><\/td>\nMultiple<\/u><\/td>\nMultiple in full<\/u><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tera<\/td>\nT<\/td>\n\u00d7 1012<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00d7 1 000 000 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Giga<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n\u00d7 109<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00d7 1 000 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mega<\/td>\nM<\/td>\n\u00d7 106<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00d7 1 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kilo<\/td>\nk<\/td>\n\u00d7 103<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00d7 1 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
centi<\/td>\nc<\/td>\n\u00d7 10-2<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00f7 100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
milli<\/td>\nm<\/td>\n\u00d7 10-3<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00f7 1 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
micro<\/td>\nm<\/td>\n\u00d7 10-6<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00f7 1 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nano<\/td>\nn<\/td>\n\u00d7 10-9<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00f7 1 000 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pico<\/td>\np<\/td>\n\u00d710-12<\/sup><\/td>\n\u00f7 1 000 000 000 000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

Above is a table of prefixes, which you will commonly find in Physics.
\nNB THE STANDARD UNIT FOR MASS IS THE KILOGRAM. Do not try changing it to grammes!
\nWatch out for ms<\/strong> which is not metres per second but milli seconds<\/strong><\/p>\n

Setting out Mathematical Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Always set out maths problems using the structure given below. It may seem to take longer but it will save time in the long run as it makes the question clearer.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. (I<\/strong><\/span>nformation)- Summarise the question.<\/li>\n
  2. Change any units that are not standard.<\/li>\n
  3. (E<\/strong><\/span>quation) -Write out the formula.<\/li>\n
  4. (S<\/strong><\/span>ubstitution) -Put the numbers in.<\/li>\n
  5. Use the magic triangle to rearrange the formula..<\/li>\n
  6. (S<\/strong><\/span>olution)- Work out the answer.<\/li>\n
  7. Write out the answer, but not to too many sig fig.<\/li>\n
  8. (U<\/strong><\/span>nits) -Add units to your answer.<\/li>\n
  9. (U<\/span><\/strong>nderline) Underline the answer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Here is the same information but in a little more detail for those\u00a0whom require it.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Information<\/span><\/strong>– Summarise the question by writing down what you know from the information given. Use the letter that goes with the quantity and this will help you be able to work out the correct formula. Don’t forget at this point to ensure that all units are in their basic form and you are using SI units, such as metres, ohms, Grays, Newtons\u00a0etc. The only exceptions are km\/h and those involving half life that can have any units of time. There might be a few others, but you can tell me what they are! Basically it is vital you learn the list of Quantity Symbol unit and unit symbol and know the difference between these.<\/li>\n
    2. Equation<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 write down the equation as it occurs in the data sheet<\/strong>. Do not attempt to rearrange it. At National 4 there shouldn\u2019t be too much rearranging. At N5 there could be. The one mark is for copying down the correct equation, so why throw this away, when it is one mark in the bag for sure! After you’ve summarised the information it should be easy to select the correct equation.<\/li>\n
    3. Substitution<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 put the numbers into the equation as they appear in the formula: just like in football you’re taking off one player (the letter) and replacing it with a number!<\/li>\n
    4. Solution<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 work out the answer. You are ALWAYS allowed to use a calculator. If you are not good at knowing which number divides\u00a0 into which, then turn on maths (see blog post) and add it in as an fraction equation.<\/li>\n
    5. Units<\/span><\/strong>– you will need to use the correct units so will need to learn these. No, or wrong, units =\u00a0no mark for the answer, i.e. you might as well have not bothered working out the answer if you don’t know the units, they’re that important.<\/li>\n
    6. Underline<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 underline, with 2 lines, the answer to make it clear what your final answer will be.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      A little out of date, maybe he’ll update it for the three mark question<\/p>\n