Eva World School

Cambridge Education — Weekly Test 1 | AY 2026–27

Mathematics (0580) — Non-Calculator Paper
ANSWER KEY & EXAMINER MARK SCHEME • Total: 20 marks

Question 1 [3 marks]
Without using a calculator, work out 1 3/8 − 5/6. Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
Step 1 — Convert the mixed number
1 3/8 = (8 × 1 + 3)/8 = 11/8
Step 2 — Find a common denominator
LCM of 8 and 6 is 24. 11/8 = 33/24 5/6 = 20/24
Step 3 — Subtract
33/24 − 20/24 = 13/24
13 is prime and does not divide 24, so the fraction is already in its simplest form.

Final Answer: 13/24

Mark Awarded for
M1 Converts 1 3/8 to 11/8 (or equivalent correct improper fraction)
M1 Correctly converts both fractions to a common denominator (24)
A1 Correct final answer 13/24, given in simplest form
Common Mistakes
● Subtracting the whole number and fraction parts separately instead of converting to an improper
fraction first.
● Using an incorrect common denominator (e.g. 48) and not simplifying back down.
● Arithmetic slip when subtracting numerators (33 − 20).
Examiner Tip: Always convert mixed numbers to improper fractions as the very first line of working —
this secures the first method mark even if a later arithmetic slip occurs.

Question 2 [2 marks]
Violet and Wilfred recorded their times to run 200 m, correct to the nearest second. Violet took 36
seconds and Wilfred took 39 seconds. Work out the upper bound of the difference between their
times.
Step 1 — Write the bounds for each time
Violet: 35.5 ≤ V < 36.5 Wilfred: 38.5 ≤ W < 39.5
Step 2 — Combine correctly for the upper bound of a difference
Upper bound of (W − V) = upper bound of W − lower bound of V = 39.5 − 35.5

Final Answer: 4 seconds

Mark Awarded for
M1 Correctly identifies the bounds 39.5 and 35.5 (or equivalent correct pairing)
A1 Correct final answer, 4
Common Mistakes
● Pairing the bounds the wrong way round (39.5 − 36.5 or 38.5 − 35.5), giving 3 or 3 instead of 4.
● Using ±1 instead of ±0.5 for 'nearest second' rounding.
● Giving the answer without units (seconds).
Examiner Tip: For 'upper bound of a difference,' always subtract the lower bound of the smaller quantity
from the upper bound of the larger quantity — this maximises the gap.

Question 3 [3 marks]
Figs cost 43 cents each. Lyra has $5 to buy some figs. Calculate the largest number of figs Lyra can
buy and the amount of change, in cents, she receives.
Step 1 — Convert to a single currency unit
$5 = 500 cents
Step 2 — Divide to find the number of figs
500 ÷ 43 = 11.62… → round DOWN, since only whole figs can be bought → 11 figs
Step 3 — Find the change
Cost of 11 figs = 11 × 43 = 473 cents. Change = 500 − 473 = 27 cents

Final Answer: 11 figs and 27 cents change

Mark Awarded for
M1 500 ÷ 43 calculated (or equivalent working shown)
M1 11 × 43 evaluated (473), or correct rounding down to 11 figs identified
A1 Both final values correct: 11 figs and 27 cents
Common Mistakes
● Rounding 11.6 up to 12 figs — an incomplete purchase is not possible, so the value must be
rounded down.
● Calculating change based on 12 figs, giving a negative or incorrect value.
● Forgetting to convert $5 into cents before dividing by 43.
Examiner Tip: In 'largest number that can be bought' questions, always round down regardless of how
close the decimal is to the next whole number.

Question 4 [1 mark]
Calculate ⁴√0.0256 (the fourth root of 0.0256).
Step 1 — Recognise 0.0256 as a fourth power
0.4 × 0.4 = 0.16 0.16 × 0.16 = 0.0256, so 0.4⁴ = 0.0256

Final Answer: 0.4

Mark Awarded for
B1 Correct final answer, 0.4
Common Mistakes
● Giving 0.16 — this is the square root (0.4²... rather, √0.0256), not the fourth root.
● Losing track of place value and giving 4 or 40 instead of 0.4.
Examiner Tip: On a non-calculator paper, test simple decimals like 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 raised to the required
power — the numbers are always chosen to work out exactly.

Question 5(a) [2 marks]

On the diagram, sketch the graph of y = cos x for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
Step 1 — Plot the key points
(0°, 1) (90°, 0) (180°, −1) (270°, 0) (360°, 1)
Step 2 — Join with a smooth wave
Draw one smooth, continuous curve through these five points — not straight-line segments —
keeping the curve within y = −1 and y = 1 throughout.

Final Answer: Standard cosine curve: starts at maximum (0,1), crosses zero at 90°, minimum
(−1) at 180°, crosses zero at 270°, returns to maximum (1) at 360°.
Mark Awarded for
B1 Correct overall smooth wave shape, with amplitude reaching exactly +1 and −1
Curve correctly positioned: starts and ends at maximum (1), minimum at x = 180° (not shifted
B1
like a sine curve)
Common Mistakes
● Drawing a sine-shaped curve that starts at (0,0) instead of (0,1).
● Drawing straight-line or angular segments instead of a smooth curve.
● Curve not reaching the full amplitude of +1 / −1.
Examiner Tip: Examiners mark sketches against a small tolerance around the five key points (roughly
±5° / ±0.1 in y) — plot these points lightly first, then sketch the curve through them.

Question 5(b) [2 marks]

Solve the equation 2 cos x = √3 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
Step 1 — Rearrange
cos x = √3 / 2
Step 2 — Find the reference (acute) angle
cos⁻¹(√3 / 2) = 30°
Step 3 — Find all solutions in range (cosine is positive in the 1st and 4th quadrants)
x = 30° or x = 360° − 30° = 330°

Final Answer: x = 30° or x = 330°

Mark Awarded for
M1 cos x = √3/2 (or cos⁻¹(√3/2) = 30°) correctly identified
A1 Both correct solutions given: 30° and 330°, with no extra values outside the range
Common Mistakes
● Giving only x = 30° and forgetting the second solution in the range.
● Confusing the special angle for cosine with sine, giving 60° instead of 30°.
● Including solutions outside 0°–360° (e.g. −30°).
Examiner Tip: For cos x = k with k > 0, the two solutions in 0°–360° are always cos⁻¹(k) and 360° −
cos⁻¹(k).

Question 6(a) [2 marks]

Complete these statements: The reciprocal of 0.2 is ___. A prime number between 90 and 100 is ___.
Reciprocal of 0.2
Reciprocal = 1 ÷ 0.2 = 1 ÷ (1/5) = 5
Prime between 90 and 100
Checking 91 (= 7 × 13), 93 (= 3 × 31), 99 (= 9 × 11) — all composite. 97 has no factors other than 1
and itself.

Final Answer: Reciprocal = 5; Prime = 97

 Mark Awarded for
B1 Reciprocal of 0.2 = 5
B1 Prime number = 97
Common Mistakes
● Writing the reciprocal as 0.2 itself, or as −5.
● Naming 91, 93 or 99 as prime without checking divisibility.
Examiner Tip: To find a reciprocal quickly, write the decimal as a fraction and flip it: 0.2 = 1/5, so the
reciprocal is 5/1 = 5.

Question 6(b) [1 mark]

From the list √5, 7, 0.6, 7/8, 9 — write down an irrational number.
Step 1 — Test each value
7 is a whole number (rational). 0.6 is a terminating decimal (rational, = 3/5). 7/8 is an exact fraction
(rational). 9 = 3² is a perfect square, so √9 would be rational — but 9 itself is already rational. √5
cannot be written as an exact fraction and its decimal never terminates or repeats.

Final Answer: √5
Mark Awarded for
B1 Correct identification of √5 as the irrational number
Common Mistakes
● Selecting 0.6 or 7/8, mistaking 'decimal' or 'fraction' for 'irrational.'
● Selecting 9, without checking whether a root sign applies to it.
Examiner Tip: A quick check: if a number can be written as an exact fraction a/b (with a, b integers), it is
rational. Square roots of non-perfect squares are the most common irrational numbers tested at this level.

Question 7 [2 marks]
Given a = 5b / (2c), find b when a = 5.625 and c = 2.
Step 1 — Substitute the known values
5.625 = 5b / (2 × 2) = 5b / 4
Step 2 — Solve for b
5b = 5.625 × 4 = 22.5 b = 22.5 ÷ 5 = 4.5

Final Answer: b = 4.5

Mark Awarded for
M1 Correct substitution of a = 5.625 and c = 2 into the formula
A1 Correct final answer, b = 4.5
Common Mistakes
● Substituting values into the wrong position in the formula.
● Arithmetic slip when multiplying/dividing decimals without a calculator.
Examiner Tip: When rearranging a formula for a non-calculator paper, multiply out one step at a time
and keep numbers as fractions or simple decimals to avoid slips.

Question 8(a) [1 mark]

Write 0.00654 in standard form.
Step 1 — Move the decimal point so the coefficient is between 1 and 10
0.00654 → 6.54, moving the decimal point 3 places to the right → power is −3

Final Answer: 6.54 × 10⁻³

Mark Awarded for
B1 Correct standard form, 6.54 × 10⁻³
Common Mistakes
● Using a positive power (6.54 × 10³) instead of negative.
● Giving a coefficient outside the range 1–10 (e.g. 65.4 × 10⁻⁴).
Examiner Tip: For numbers less than 1, the power of 10 is always negative — count the places the
decimal point moves to the right to reach a number between 1 and 10.

Question 8(b) [1 mark]

The number 1.467 × 10¹⁰² is written as an ordinary number. Write down the number of zeros that
follow the digit 7.
Step 1 — Work out how many digits the decimal point moves
1.467 has 3 digits after the decimal point (4, 6, 7). Multiplying by 10¹⁰² moves the decimal point 102
places to the right.
Step 2 — Subtract the digits already accounted for
102 − 3 = 99 places remain, all filled with zeros after the digit 7.

Final Answer: 99 zeros

Mark Awarded for
B1 Correct final answer, 99
Common Mistakes
● Giving 102 (forgetting that 3 of the places are taken up by the digits 4, 6 and 7).
● An off-by-one slip, giving 98 or 100.
Examiner Tip: Number of trailing zeros = (power of 10) − (number of digits after the decimal point in
the coefficient).