Ratio

GCSE Maths: Compound Measures

Master GCSE Maths compound measures including speed, density and pressure. Practice forming and rearranging formulae from real-world contexts.

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Key Concepts in Compound Measures

  • Speed, distance, time
  • Density, mass, volume
  • Pressure, force, area
  • Unit conversions for compound measures
  • Average speed problems

Exam Tips for Compound Measures

  • 💡Use the triangle method: cover the quantity you want to find
  • 💡Speed = Distance ÷ Time; Distance = Speed × Time
  • 💡Average speed = total distance ÷ total time (not average of speeds)

Exam Board Coverage

Compound Measures appears on all major GCSE Maths exam boards at both Foundation and Higher tier.

AQA
Edexcel
OCR

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a compound measure?

A compound measure is one that involves two or more units, such as speed (km/h), density (g/cm³) or pressure (N/m²).

How do I calculate average speed?

Average speed = total distance ÷ total time. You cannot simply average two speeds — you must use the total distance and total time.