AQA GCSE Mathematics Paper 2 (Higher), June 2025: Question 3

✅ Mark Scheme Breakdown

• B2: All 6 points plotted correctly (within ± half a small square) and joined sequentially with ruled straight lines.
• B1 (partial): At least 4 points plotted correctly, or all 6 points correctly plotted but not joined.

💡 Reading the Vertical Scale

Examine the vertical axis closely:

• 1 large square = 10 000 views.
• There are 10 small squares per 10 000 views.
• Therefore, 1 small square = 1 000 views.
• Example: Day 1 is 49 000, which is exactly 1 small square below 50 000.
• Example: Day 2 is 95 000, which is exactly halfway (5 small squares) between 90 000 and 100 000.

🧠 Exam Technique for Time Series

• Use a ruler: Time series graphs must be joined with straight line segments from point to point, not a single curved line of best fit.
• Do NOT extend: Stop your line exactly at Day 6. Do not draw lines before Day 1 or beyond Day 6 unless explicitly asked.
• Use small crosses: Plot using neat × marks rather than large blobs so your accuracy is clearly within half a small square.

❌ Common Errors to Avoid

• Drawing a single line of best fit: A line of best fit across all points is incorrect for a time series and loses the joining mark.
• Misreading the scale: Plotting 49 000 at 40 900 or miscounting squares around 95 000.
• Curving the joins: Sketching a smooth curve through the points instead of using a sharp pencil and ruler for straight segments.

Step 1: Estimate views on Day 7 from the trend
Looking at Days 2 to 6, views fall steadily:
• Day 2 → 3: drop of 8 000
• Day 3 → 4: drop of 10 000
• Day 4 → 5: drop of 13 000
• Day 5 → 6: drop of 16 000
Continuing this downward slope suggests views on Day 7 will lie between 20 000 and 40 000 (e.g., around 30 000 to 35 000).
[B1 awarded for any estimate in the range 20 000 to 40 000]

Step 2: Multiply by rate per view (in pence)
Suppose your estimate is 32 000 views:
32 000 × 0.018p = 576p
[M1 awarded for (their views) × 0.018 ÷ 100 or equivalent]

Step 3: Convert pence into pounds (£)
The answer line has a £ sign, so divide pence by 100:
576p ÷ 100 = £5.76
[A1ft awarded for correct calculation and money format, within £3.60 to £7.20]

✅ Mark Scheme Tolerances

• B1: Day 7 views estimated between 20 000 and 40 000 (can be implied in working).
• M1: their views × 0.018 ÷ 100 or their views × 0.00018 .
• A1ft: Correct final value in range £3.60 to £7.20 . Truncated or rounded to 2 decimal places (nearest penny).

❌ Major Calculation Traps

• The "0.018" unit confusion: 0.018 is in pence, not pounds! Multiplying 30 000 × 0.018 gives 540p (£5.40). Writing £540 loses the final mark.
• Premature rounding of the rate: Rounding 0.018p up to 0.02p is condoned for method (M1), but caps the marks at 2 out of 3 (cannot score the final A1 mark).
• Unrealistic Day 7 estimate: Choosing a number outside [20 000, 40 000] (such as guessing 50 000) loses the B1 mark, though follow-through M1 can still be recovered.
• Missing decimals on money: If your answer is £5.4, always write it properly as money: £5.40 .