Gear ratio = teeth on driven gear ÷ teeth on driver gear.
Driven > driver teeth → turns slower, more torque. Driven < driver → faster, less torque.
Speed of driven gear = driver speed ÷ gear ratio.
Velocity ratio (pulleys) = diameter of driven ÷ diameter of driver.
Percentage waste = (waste area ÷ total area) × 100.
Always round UP for number of items needed — you cannot use half a paving stone or buy 0.6 of a tin.
Exam questions — 4 questions · 10 marks · real AQA 8552 past papers
Extended questions included — read the hint. AI marks against the AQA 8552 mark scheme.
4 marksPaving stone calculationAQA 8552 Jun 2024 Q14 style
A garden patio measures 7m × 4m. Square paving stones are 0.6m × 0.6m. (a) Calculate the area of the patio. (b) Calculate how many whole paving stones are needed. Show all working. (4 marks)
Hint: (a) length × width. (b) patio area ÷ stone area = number. Always round UP.
+40 XP
3 marksPercentage wasteAQA 8552 Nov 2021 Q13 style
A sheet of material has an area of 1000 cm². After cutting the required parts, 62.5 cm² of material is wasted. Calculate the percentage waste. Show all working. (3 marks)
Hint: % waste = (waste area ÷ total area) × 100. Three marks — show each step clearly.
+30 XP
3 marksGear ratio calculationAQA 8552 style
A driver gear has 20 teeth and meshes with a driven gear of 60 teeth. (a) Calculate the gear ratio. (b) If the driver turns at 300 rpm, calculate the speed of the driven gear. (3 marks)
Hint: Gear ratio = driven ÷ driver. Speed of driven = driver speed ÷ gear ratio. Show both steps.
+30 XP
3 marksCosting calculationAQA 8552 Nov 2021 Q13 style
A product requires 0.45 litres of varnish per item. Varnish costs £3.60 per litre, sold in 4-litre tins. A manufacturer needs to varnish 50 items. Calculate tins needed and total cost. (3 marks)
Hint: Total volume first. Divide by tin size — round UP. Cost = tins × litres per tin × price per litre.
+30 XP
1 markOscillating motionAQA 8552 Jun 2022 Q13
Windscreen wipers move back and forth in an arc. What type of motion is this?