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Density and pressure are compound measures: density = mass/volume and pressure = force/area. This topic covers rearranging and using these formulae with the correct units. It's a core topic in GCSE and iGCSE Maths with Edexcel and the other major boards. This free interactive eClassroom course walks through each step with worked examples and instant-feedback questions, so you can practise until it's secure.
How you do it
Density is mass divided by volume; pressure is force divided by area. Rearrange with the formula triangle for whichever you need, and check the units line up — grams per cubic centimetre against kilograms per cubic metre differ by a factor of 1000.
Before you start
This builds directly on compound measures and units. Assessed at Foundation and Higher tier. It carries straight through to problem solving with mass and volume. Filed under Ratio & Proportion.
What you learn
Density compares mass to volume; pressure compares force to area. Both use a formula triangle, just like speed = distance ⁄ time. It measures how much mass is packed into a given space, usually in g/cm³ or kg/m³. A larger area gives a smaller pressure for the same force — which is why wide tyres sink less into soft ground. The course works through density, pressure and rearranging and units. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Density & Pressure is a Ratio and Proportion topic in the GCSE syllabus, covered here at Foundation tier. It runs to 3 concepts, each followed by a check, with 2 worked examples along the way. Students often pair it with Direct & Inverse Proportion, Exchange Rates & Best Value, Growth & Decay, Percentage Change and Proportion Graphs. Endless extra practice on this strand is available on the Ratio and Proportion revision engine, which generates a fresh question each time.
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