If you completed Everyday maths 1, you will be familiar with the idea of scale. Scales are found on drawings, plans and maps and they are often written with the units indicated. Let’s look at an example.
A football pitch is drawn to the scale of 1 cm to 5 m.
Figure 50 A football pitch drawn at 1 cm to 5 m
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A football pitch with a label at the top saying ‘Football pitch scale: 1 cm to 5 m’.
Figure 50 A football pitch drawn at 1 cm to 5 m
This means that every 1 cm measured on the plan is 5 m in real life.
If the plan is drawn with the length being 18cm and the width being 9cm, what are the dimensions of the football pitch in real life?
Write down the scale first:
You know the drawing dimensions so you need to work with these one at a time. Let’s start with the length of 18 cm:
If the scale is 1 cm to 5 m then
18 cm = ? m.
If you have been given the drawing measurement and need to know the real life measurement, you multiply:
18×5=90m
so the length is 90m.
Note: If you have been given the actual measurement and need to find the drawing measurement you would need to divide.
Now you can work out the width measurement:
A lot of scales are written differently, without the units indicated. The scale of 1 cm to 5 m could also be written as 1:500.
This is the scale expressed as a ratio and it is independent of any units. A scale of 1:500 means that the actual real-life measurements are 500 times greater than those on the plan or map. This means that it does not matter whether you take the measurements on the plan in millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm) or metres (m) – the measurements will be 500 times as much in real life.
To write a scale as a ratio, you often have to convert. Let’s look at the football pitch example again:
At the moment, the units of the scale are different. The plan side is given in centimetres (cm) and the real-life side is given in metres (m).
To express this as a ratio, you need to convert both sides to the same units. It is usually easiest to convert the real-life side of the scale into the same unit as the drawing side, so in this case it is easiest to convert 5 m into cm:
So you can now write the scale as a ratio:
It is standard to try to write the ratio in the simplest form possible, ideally with a single unit (a ‘1’) on the drawing side of the ratio. This will make any calculations you do using the scale easier.
Now have a go a converting scales to ratios.
Activity 9: Writing a scale as a ratio
Rewriting these scales as a ratio in their simplest form:
- 1 cm to 2 m
- 2 cm to 5 m
- 10 mm to 20 m
- 1 cm to 1 km
- 5 cm to 2 km
Answer
It is easiest to change the 2 m into cm:
- 2 × 100 = 200 cm so the scale expressed as a ratio would be 1:200.
It is easiest to change the 5 m into cm:
- 5 × 100 = 500 cm so the scale expressed as a ratio could be written as:
- 2:500
However, we usually try to get the drawing side of the ratio down to a single unit (1) to make calculations easier. Therefore, you need to simplify the ratio. To do this here, divide both sides by 2:
- 2 ÷ 2 = 1
- 500 ÷ 2 = 250 so the scale can be written as:
- 1:250
It is easiest to change the 20m into mm. It might be easiest to do this in stages:
Convert to cm first –
1 m = 100 cm so 20×100=2000cm
Now convert to mm –
1cm = 10mm so 2000×10=20000mm
This makes the scale:
10:20000
This can be simplified by dividing both sides by 10 to get:
1:2000
Change the 1km into cm. Again, this will be easiest to do in stages:
Convert to m first –
1km =1000m so 1×1000 = 1000m
Now convert to cm –
1m=100cm so 1000×100=100000cm
This means the scale should be written as:
1:100000
- Change the 2 km into cm. In stages this can be done as follows:
Convert to m first –
1km = 1000m so 2×1000=2000m
Now convert to cm –
1m = 100cm so 2000 × 100 = 200000cm
This makes the scale:
5:200000
This can be simplified by dividing both sides by 5 to get:
1:40000
Now you will look at using ratio scales to work out measurements.
FAQs
Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is an alternative qualification to a GCSE Maths pass grade. The course uses real-life examples to help you learn maths. If you find learning maths easier with practical... Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is an alternative qualification to a GCSE Maths pass grade.
Can I do functional skills Level 2 for free? ›
and they are accepted as GCSE A-C (or 4-9) equivalents. Completing your functional skills can aid your progression within your current place of work. This course is cost-free to learners.
Can I do Level 2 maths online? ›
Pass Functional skills offers level 2 functional skills maths online, where you are able to take the exam in the comfort of your own home.
How long does it take to do functional skills maths level 2? ›
It is also relatively quick to complete, with an expected time commitment of around 6 months. All in all, if you're looking for an efficient but rewarding way to learn mathematics that fits your schedule – then the Functional Skills Maths Level 2 course could be the right choice for you!
What is Level 2 maths in UK? ›
This level 2 course will entai the following modules: whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, how to use common measures, shape and space, handling information and data and solving mathematical problems and decision making.
Is Level 2 maths easy? ›
Functional skills are better suited to students who have failed in maths and English; however, that does not mean functional skills are easier. Just like GCSE and any other exams, you will still need to put in the hard work and revision.
Is functional skills level 2 worth it? ›
As well as equipping learners with the knowledge and techniques they need, studying Functional Skills courses will be beneficial from an academic and career standpoint. This is because most jobs require English and Maths qualifications at Level 2.
How to pass maths level 2? ›
Here are some top tips to help you prepare for your Functional Skills Maths Level 2 exam and achieve success.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses. ...
- Use a variety of study materials. ...
- Practice, practice, practice. ...
- Learn test-taking strategies. ...
- Get support.
You'll have to make a new entry each time for Level 1 and 2. At Entry Level there are three sets of assessments per level for each subject. If a learner does not pass their assessment, they may sit the alternative test, providing there is a gap of at least 14 days.
How long does it take to get level 2 maths? ›
Time Needed
The Total Qualification Time (TQT) for the Functional Skills qualification in Mathematics at Level 2 is 54 hours. The Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the Functional Skills qualification in Mathematics at Level 2 is 45.
A Level 2 qualification in maths (usually either Functional Skills Level 2, GCSE grade 4/C or above or National 4/5) shows a good standard of maths and is required for many jobs. You'll need a Level 2 maths qualification for lots of apprenticeships, diplomas and other courses.
How much is functional skills maths level 2? ›
Course Fee
| Course Fee | £659.99 |
|---|
| With 50% off + Free Upgrade | £395.99 |
While Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and Functional Skills English are simpler and quicker to complete, their recognition as C/4 GCSE grade equivalents does mean you will be required to meet a certain level of subject proficiency to pass the Functional Skills exam.
Can you use a calculator in functional skills level 2? ›
Functional Skills Maths Level 2
The level 2 Maths exam is 2 hours long and is made up of a non-calculator and calculator section, with the calculator section being worth more marks. You can view the full list of functional skills Maths level 2 topics here.
What score do you need to pass functional skills maths level 2? ›
The functional skills maths level 2 pass mark is usually around 50% to 55%. Yes, you can sign up to the free version of our level 2 courses, and get access to free resources, past papers and the pre-assessments for both maths and English. Yes, we offer City & Guilds functional skills resources and exams.
What is mathematics level 2? ›
About this qualification:
The purpose of the Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 qualification is to demonstrate both mathematical skills at the appropriate level and the ability to apply mathematical thinking effectively to solve problems successfully in the workplace and in other real life situations.
What is math level 1 vs math level 2? ›
Math 1 is designed for those who've taken two years of algebra and one year of geometry, while Math 2 targets those who've also taken precalculus/trigonometry.
What is a Level 2 exam equivalent to? ›
A level 2 qualification is similar to having GCSE grade equivalents at grade A*–C or 4-9.
Is a Level 2 in maths a pass? ›
Grade Level system explained:
Level 4: 50–59% (Moderate achievement) Level 3: 40–49% (Adequate achievement) Level 2: 30–39% (Elementary achievement) Level 1: 0–29% (Not achieved: Fail)
