Command words

Command words are the words and phrases used in exams and other assessment
tasks that tell students how they should answer the question. These are presented in
alphabetical order based on the key word, not necessarily the first word.

Multiple choice instructions

Circle your answer
No further notes.

Tick () one box

No further notes.

Common instructions
[Comment on the] accuracy [of the model]
Calculate a value using a model, compare it with a value from the real world and
write a statement about how closely the values match.

[terms in] ascending powers of x

When you expand a binomial expression of the form (𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏)𝑛𝑛 the expansion must
take the form.
𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 + � � 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−1 𝑥𝑥 + � � 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−2 𝑥𝑥 2 + ⋯
1 2

Assume
For this part of the question, use the given assumption in any working you do.

[State an] assumption…

In a Mechanics question you should give a relevant modelling assumption such as:
• there is no air resistance
• the surface is smooth
• the string is inextensible.
In other modelling questions, give a relevant modelling assumption.

Calculate
The answer is a number, which you should work out using any appropriate method.
You’re permitted to use a calculator.

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[Use] calculus
In a question asking for a maximum or minimum value, you should use
differentiation. In a question asking for the area under a curve, you should use
integration.

[Find a/the] Cartesian equation

For a parametric equation, eliminate the parameter and express the equation in
terms of 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦.

[By considering a suitable] change of sign, show that…

Use the sign change rule.
You must define a function which you evaluate at each endpoint of the interval and
compare the values explicitly with zero.
eg f(a) > 0, f(b) < 0.

[Find the] coefficient of…

In a binomial expansion your final answer should just be the coefficient of the
required term.
For example, in the expansion of (1 + 2𝑥𝑥)5 = 1 + 10𝑥𝑥 + 40𝑥𝑥 2 + ⋯ the coefficient of
𝑥𝑥 2 is 40.

Compare/give a comparison…
You must write about both items being compared and state a similarity or difference.
It’s not unusual to see comparisons that say, for example, ‘The median of CO
emissions is higher for cars registered in 2002.’ Whilst the word ‘higher’ implies a
comparison, there is no clear identification of what ‘cars registered in 2002’ are being
compared with. It’s not enough that this is given in the question: you must state it in
your comparison.

[State…assumptions in] context

Your assumptions must relate to the real world context of the question, eg if
considering whether a binomial model is appropriate, you will consider whether the
probability of success is constant, or the trials are independent, and you must refer to
the real world when doing so.

[By using a] counter example…

Use any appropriate counter example to demonstrate that a result is incorrect.

…curve, C
We often refer to a curve by a letter so that we can then refer to it again easily.
We might say, for example, ‘Sketch the graph of 𝐶𝐶′ or ‘Show that 𝐶𝐶 does not intersect
the 𝑦𝑦-axis.’

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Deduce
The answer can be worked out by a little thinking, but probably not very much
working out. If you need to do some working out, you can do so.

Describe
Write the required information using correct mathematical vocabulary.

Determine whether…
The statement could be true or false. Give a reason to explain which it is.

Differentiate from first principles

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Use the formula given in the Formulae booklet to find .
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Write down the formula as given below and then substitute into it.
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
𝑓𝑓 ′ (𝑥𝑥) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
In all other situations, differentiation is not expected to use the first principles method.

[State a] distribution which could model…

The distribution will be either binomial or normal.
State the correct model for the discrete random variable and give values for its
parameters i.e. 𝑋𝑋~𝐵𝐵(𝑛𝑛, 𝑝𝑝) or 𝑋𝑋~𝑁𝑁(𝜇𝜇, 𝜎𝜎 2 ).

[Find the] domain of…

Write down the domain of the function, using set notation or interval notation.

[State the maximum possible] domain of…

The definition of a function will be given. There will be some values of 𝑥𝑥 for which the
function is undefined.
The maximum possible domain is the set of real numbers, ℝ, with these values
removed.

[Find an/the] equation of…

An equation of a line or circle (or any other curve) may be given in any form, unless a
question specifies a particular form.

[Form an] equation of motion…

Use Newton’s 2nd law, 𝐹𝐹 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚, to write down an equation for the motion of a particle.
When working with connected particles and the motion is not in a straight line, you
must form separate equations of motion for each particle.
Forming an equation of motion for the whole system is considered an invalid method
and would lead to few or no marks.

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Estimate
Use the given information to work out the answer: this is typically done using a
mathematical model to calculate a value.
In this case it is good practice to use/give the exact answer of any calculation and
then round the final answer to a sensible degree of accuracy.

…exact…
The required value should be given as a fraction, surd or in terms of ln or e as
specified in the question.
A rounded value obtained from a calculator would not gain full marks.

[Show that] …exactly…

𝑒𝑒 3𝑥𝑥 −5
In a question such as ‘Show that 𝑦𝑦 = 2 has exactly one stationary point’, you
𝑥𝑥
must show not just that there is a stationary point, but that it is the only one.

Explain
Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary or notation to answer the question.

Expand
For a binomial expansion all terms must be simplified.

Evaluate
The answer is a number, which you should work out using any appropriate method.
You’re permitted to use a calculator.
A definite integral may be found using a calculator.

Express
Give the answer in a particular form as specified in the question.
This could be used for writing an expression in partial fractions or for giving one
variable in terms of another.

[Use the] factor theorem…

Show the correct substitution into the polynomial 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) and give the correct value of
the function, concluding correctly that the proposed factor is or is not a factor of 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥).

Factorise
Express a polynomial as a product of a constant, if applicable, and irreducible linear
and/or quadratic factors.
The factorisation must always be full even if the word “fully” or “completely” is not
included in the question.

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Find
Give the value required. Typically, no working is necessary if a question is worth 1
mark.
If the question is worth more marks, then a correct answer with no working will still
gain all marks, but working out will typically be seen.

Find f (or f-1)

Find both f(x) (or f-1(x)) and its domain.

Fully justify your answer

Any reasoning to reach the required conclusion should be explicitly stated in the
solution.
This does not imply that routine calculations must be done without a calculator.

[In this question use] g = 10 / 9.8 / 9.81 ms-2

You should be aware that there are three standard values used for the acceleration
due to gravity, given to 1, 2 or 3 significant figures. Your answer to any question in
which a value of g is used should be given to the same accuracy as the value of g.

Give
This command word is used often.
When referring to a value, it just means write down.
When referring to a comment, take care to focus on precisely what is being asked
and use mathematical vocabulary in your answer.

Give one advantage/disadvantage…

This implies that a comparison is needed, so take care to mention both items which
are being compared.

Give a/one reason why…

Write down a reason; typically, no further calculation is expected, but you could do
more working if you need to.

Give your answer in the form…

Your final answer must be written in the specified form to gain the final mark for this
question.
When asking you to do this, the examiner is testing your skills of algebraic
manipulation.

Give your answer to the nearest…

The accuracy stipulated is usually to guide you so that you do not have to choose
how to round an answer. Answers to a greater accuracy are not necessarily
penalised, but answers to less accuracy do not gain full marks.

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[It is] given…
This indicates that you are being told some information vital for the question and we
prefer to put this in a sentence, rather than just writing down a mathematical
statement.
For example, we would write:
Given that
6 cos 𝜃𝜃 + 8 sin 𝜃𝜃 ≡ 𝑅𝑅 cos(𝜃𝜃 + 𝛼𝛼)
find the value of 𝑅𝑅.
We could have omitted ‘Given that’ but the question is better with it there.

Hence
Use the result from the previous part of the question.
The use of any other method will typically lead to fewer or no marks being given.

[Carry out a] hypothesis test at the x% significance level

You should:
• state null and alternative hypotheses using correct notation for the parameter
being investigated
• state the distribution being used (if relevant)
• calculate an appropriate probability or identify a critical region
• compare the test statistic with the critical region or the probability with the
significance level
• state ‘Do not reject 𝐻𝐻0 ’ or ‘Reject 𝐻𝐻0 ’
• reach an appropriate conclusion in context, typically using the wording: ‘There is/is
not significant evidence to suggest…’ and then repeating the claim made in the
question.

Identify
This is often used in multiple choice questions, but can be used in other short
questions.
It means that you should select from a choice and usually no working is expected.
You might have to identify where in a proof or solution given in the question a
mistake arises and you need to write down where it is.

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[Use] integration by substitution…
In many cases, no substitution will be given and you should choose an appropriate
one to use.
If a substitution is given, it should be used.
Other methods will not receive full marks.

Interpret…in context
Your answer to the question should be related to the real-world context in which it is
set.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
For example, the value of = 0.15 would be interpreted as the volume is increasing
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
at a rate of 0.15m3s-1.

[Explain why the model is] invalid

Compare the mathematical model with the real situation it is modelling and explain
why the maths does not fit with reality (eg, if a model predicts a negative value for the
mass of a substance, the model would be invalid at this point).

Investigate, at the x% significance level, whether…

Carry out a hypothesis test.

[Using your knowledge of the] Large Data Set

You are expected to have used the Large Data Set (LDS) and be familiar with the
types of data it contains. This will give you an advantage in answering this question
that someone who has not used the LDS will not have.

[Find the] maximum/minimum

If calculus is used, there should be a statement that the maximum/minimum value
occurs when 𝑓𝑓 ′ (𝑥𝑥) = 0. The nature of the stationary point should be determined
using 𝑓𝑓′′(𝑥𝑥) with a clear comparison with zero.

[Use the] Newton-Raphson method…

No working out is required to be shown, because the formula may be entered directly
into a calculator.
However, writing down the formula with an expression for 𝑓𝑓′(𝑥𝑥) would gain credit if
answers were wrong.

Plot
Draw an accurate graph, on the grid provided, marking each point with a cross.

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Prove
Give a formal proof with each step shown.
The mathematical argument should be rigorous.
The proof should contain a final concluding statement saying what has been proved.

Prove by contradiction…
The method of proof by contradiction must be used.
Other methods are unlikely to gain marks.

[Find the] range of…

Write down the range of the function, using set notation or interval notation.

Show that…
Give every step of a process that will lead to the required outcome.
The solution should contain a concluding statement which states what has been
shown.

Simplify
An algebraic answer should be simplified as much as possible.
For example:
• an algebraic fraction should have all common factors in numerator and
denominator cancelled
• an expression should have all coefficients expressed as simply as possible eg
−2𝑥𝑥 × 3 sin 3𝑥𝑥 should be written as −6𝑥𝑥 sin 3𝑥𝑥
• all like terms should be collected together.

[Express as a] single logarithm

The answer should be of the form log 𝑎𝑎 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) or log 𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏.

Sketch
Give a depiction of a graph where the important features are identified.
Typically, a sketch will show the values at which the graph intersects the axes, if little
or no calculation is needed to find these values.
Asymptotes are best drawn as dashed or dotted lines so that the curve can be clearly
shown to be asymptotic.
The turning point of a quadratic should be in the correct quadrant.

[Using] small angle approximations…

𝑥𝑥 2
Use sin 𝑥𝑥 ≈ 𝑥𝑥, tan 𝑥𝑥 ≈ 𝑥𝑥 and cos 𝑥𝑥 = 1 − to show the required result.
2

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Solve
Find the value(s) that satisfy a given equation or inequality.

State
Write the required information using correct mathematical vocabulary.

[Find the] stationary/turning points and state its/their nature

If calculus is used there should be a statement that the stationary/turning points
occur when 𝑓𝑓 ′ (𝑥𝑥) = 0.
State the nature of each stationary/turning point: is it a maximum, minimum or
stationary point of inflection.

Use the graph to…

You should get your answer from the graph rather than from calculation.

Verify that…
Use an appropriate calculation to show that the given statement is true.

Write down…
The answer should be obtainable from the information given, so no working out
should be needed.

© 2021 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 9 of 9