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AQA GCSE Maths

Topic questions Geometry and measures Pythagoras' theorem

Pythagoras' theorem

65 questions · 212 marks · about 4 hours

Pythagoras' theorem questions

AQA 8300 Pythagoras' theorem 65 questions

Paper 2: Calculator June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 26, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Figure for question 26

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x. You must show your working.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26

Paper 2: Calculator June 2025 Higher tier, Question 10, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Figure for question 10

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x. You must show your working.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Foundation tier, Question 19, also on the Higher paper 2 marks

Here is a right-angled triangle.

Figure for question 19

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to show that x = 0.8

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Higher tier, Question 6, also on the Foundation paper 2 marks

Here is a right-angled triangle.

Figure for question 6

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to show that x = 0.8

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6

Paper 2: Calculator June 2024 Higher tier, Question 18 3 marks

A diagonal of a rectangle is 23.7 cm long. The diagonal makes an angle of 52 ° with a side of length x cm

Work out the value of x.

x =

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 18

Paper 3: Calculator June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 19, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Figure for question 19

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x. Give your answer as a decimal.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19

Paper 3: Calculator June 2024 Higher tier, Question 2, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Figure for question 2

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x. Give your answer as a decimal.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2

Paper 2: Calculator November 2023 Foundation tier, Question 20, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 20
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20

Paper 2: Calculator November 2023 Higher tier, Question 3, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 3
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3

Paper 2: Calculator November 2023 Higher tier, Question 28 3 marks

VABCD is a pyramid with a horizontal square base. X is the centre of the base. V is vertically above X. BD = 18 cm Angle VBX = 72 °

Figure for question 28

Work out the length of VB.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 28

Paper 3: Calculator November 2023 Higher tier, Question 16 3 marks

PQ is a diameter of a circle. QR is a tangent to the circle. PQ = QR PR = 10 cm

Figure for question 16

Work out the radius of the circle. Give your answer as a decimal.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 16

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 26 4 marks

A circle, centre O, has circumference 20 π cm Q is a point on the circle.

Question 26, shown as an image
Figure for question 26
Question 26, shown as an image

Work out the value of a. You must show your working.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 23, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 23
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 10, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 10
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 23 6 marks

Figure for question 23

A boat sails 35 km North from A to B. From B the boat sails to C and then back to A.

(a)

Show that the distance the boat sails from C to A is 79 km to the nearest km You must show your working.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23(a)
(b)

Work out the bearing of A from C.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23(b)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2022 Foundation tier, Question 26 3 marks

Here is a triangle.

Figure for question 26

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of y. Give your answer as a decimal.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26

Paper 3: Calculator June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 21, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the size of angle x.

Figure for question 21

x = °

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 21

Paper 3: Calculator June 2022 Higher tier, Question 4, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the size of angle x.

Figure for question 4

x = °

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 31, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Here is a right-angled triangle.

Figure for question 31

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 31

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2021 Higher tier, Question 12, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Here is a right-angled triangle.

Figure for question 12

Use trigonometry to work out the value of x.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12

Paper 2: Calculator November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 24 4 marks

Here is triangle ABC.

Figure for question 24
(a)

Assume that angle ACB = 90 ° Work out the length AB.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 24(a)
(b)

The actual length AB is greater than the answer to part (a). What does this mean about angle ACB ? Tick one box.

Figure for question 24
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 24(b)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2021 Higher tier, Question 16 2 marks

Also involves Surds

Here is a cube with edge length x cm One diagonal is shown.

Figure for question 16
(a)

Circle the length, in centimetres, of the diagonal.

Question 16, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 16(a)
(b)

The total length, in centimetres, of the edges of the cube is a multiple of 18 Circle the correct statement.

x is a x is not a x might be a whole number whole number whole number

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 16(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 15 4 marks

A pyramid has a square base. Each of the four sloping edges has length 10 cm

Figure for question 15

The total length of all eight edges is 68 cm Work out the area of the square base.

cm 2

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 15

Paper 2: Calculator November 2020 Higher tier, Question 23 4 marks

Right-angled triangle ABC is the cross section of a prism. AB = 5 cm BC = 12 cm M is the midpoint of CF. AM = 16 cm

Figure for question 23

Work out the volume of the prism.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23

Paper 3: Calculator November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 24, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 24
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 24

Paper 3: Calculator November 2020 Higher tier, Question 7, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the value of x.

Figure for question 7
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7

Paper 2: Calculator November 2019 Higher tier, Question 12 4 marks

An isosceles triangle has base 16 cm and perpendicular height 15 cm

Figure for question 12

Some of these triangles are used to make a large triangle.

Figure for question 12

Work out the perimeter of the large triangle.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12

Paper 3: Calculator November 2019 Higher tier, Question 20 1 mark

P (– 1, 1) is a point on the circle, centre O, radius r.

Figure for question 20

Work out the value of r. Circle your answer.

Question 20, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20

Paper 3: Calculator November 2019 Higher tier, Question 26 8 marks

Here is a triangular sail.

Figure for question 26
(a)

Vicky needs to buy waterproofing liquid for the sail. She will put 3 coats of liquid on each side of the sail. A litre of liquid covers 8.5 square metres of sail. How many 1-litre bottles of liquid does Vicky need?

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26(a)
(b)

Another sail is joined to the first sail as shown.

Figure for question 26

x is an acute angle. Work out the size of angle x.

[5]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26(b)

Paper 2: Calculator June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 22, also on the Higher paper 4 marks

Also involves Ratio

The diagram shows rectangle ABDE and right-angled triangle ABC. AC = 17 cm BC = 8 cm

Figure for question 22

BC: CD = 1: 2 Work out the area of rectangle ABDE.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22

Paper 2: Calculator June 2019 Higher tier, Question 7, also on the Foundation paper 4 marks

Also involves Ratio

The diagram shows rectangle ABDE and right-angled triangle ABC. AC = 17 cm BC = 8 cm

Figure for question 7

BC: CD = 1: 2 Work out the area of rectangle ABDE.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7

Paper 3: Calculator June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 30 2 marks

Here is a right-angled triangle.

Figure for question 30

Use trigonometry to work out the size of angle x.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 30

Paper 3: Calculator June 2019 Higher tier, Question 24 3 marks

Also involves Volume and surface area

The length of a diagonal of a cuboid is 20 cm The diagonal makes an angle of 24° with the base.

Question 24, shown as an image
Figure for question 24

Work out the volume of the cuboid.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 24

Paper 2: Calculator June 2018 Higher tier, Question 21 4 marks

Also involves Compound measures

Liz and Tia are walking towards a shop along different straight paths. The diagram shows their positions at 2 pm

Figure for question 21
(a)

Assume they walk at the same speed. Who will arrive at the shop first? You must show your working.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 21(a)
(b)

In fact, Liz walks at a faster speed than Tia. How does this affect the answer to part (a)?

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 21(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2018 Higher tier, Question 20 3 marks

Also involves Surds

All dimensions are in centimetres.

Figure for question 20

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to work out the exact value of fraction

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20

Paper 3: Calculator June 2018 Higher tier, Question 25 6 marks

Also involves Trigonometric ratios

ABCDEF is a triangular prism which represents part of a hill. ABCF is the horizontal rectangular base. D is vertically above C.

Figure for question 25
(a)

Work out the height CD.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(a)
(b)

Jamil walks in a straight line from A to D.

Figure for question 25

Work out the size of angle DAC. You must show your working.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(b)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2017 Higher tier, Question 27 6 marks

VABCD is a square-based pyramid. The horizontal base ABCD has side length 10 cm and centre M. Angle VMA is 90° Angle VAM is 68°

Figure for question 27

fraction × area of base × perpendicular height

Question 27, shown as an image

Work out the volume of the pyramid.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 27

Paper 2: Calculator June 2017 Foundation tier, Question 29, also on the Higher paper 2 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the length x.

Figure for question 29
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 29

Paper 2: Calculator June 2017 Higher tier, Question 7, also on the Foundation paper 2 marks

Use trigonometry to work out the length x.

Figure for question 7
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7

Paper 2: Calculator June 2017 Higher tier, Question 15 2 marks

Sami is trying to work out the exact value of y using Pythagoras’ theorem.

Figure for question 15

Here is her working. 2 2 2 (2 y) = 6 + 8

Question 15, shown as an image
Question 15, shown as an image
(a)

What error has she made in her working?

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 15(a)
(b)

Kai works out that y = 5 Mel says, ‘‘ y cannot be 5 because the hypotenuse should be the longest side and the other sides are longer than 5 cm’’ Is Mel correct? Tick a box.

Figure for question 15

Give a reason for your answer.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 15(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2017 Higher tier, Question 25 6 marks

Rectangle ABCD is the horizontal base of a triangular prism ABCDEF. AE = BE E is vertically above M, the midpoint of AB. AB = 16 cm AE = 17 cm BC = 30 cm

Figure for question 25
(a)

Show that EM = 15 cm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(a)
(b)

Work out the size of angle ECM.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(b)

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