GCSE Maths: Percentage Change & Multipliers
Use a single multiplier to increase or decrease by a percentage, and to reverse the process. Practise it with adaptive questions for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on percentage change & multipliers, and what each one is really asking.
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- Using 0.15 as the multiplier for a 15% increase instead of 1.15
- Dividing by the new value instead of the original when finding percentage change
- Multiplying instead of dividing on a reverse percentage question
- Assuming a 20% rise followed by a 20% fall returns you to the start — it does not
Percentage Change & Multipliers questions students ask
Is Percentage Change & Multipliers on the Foundation paper?
Yes. Percentage Change & Multipliers appears at both Foundation and Higher tier, though Higher papers take it further.
What should I know before starting Percentage Change & Multipliers?
It builds on Percentages and Decimals. If those feel shaky, practise them first — Percentage Change & Multipliers questions assume them.
What is the most common mistake in Percentage Change & Multipliers?
Using 0.15 as the multiplier for a 15% increase instead of 1.15.
Which exam boards cover Percentage Change & Multipliers?
All four we support — AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas. GCSE Maths subject content is set by the DfE, so the topic is common to every board; what changes is the paper structure and the grade boundaries.