DfE statement G11 · Geometry and measures
Geometrical problems on coordinate axes
Geometrical problems on coordinate axes is content statement G11 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the geometry area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.
What the specification says
The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Solve geometrical problems on coordinate axes." (statement G11). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
Tier
Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.
Calculator
This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.
Common mistakes
- Finding a midpoint by subtracting the coordinates instead of averaging them.
- Finding a distance between points without squaring the differences first.
- Reading coordinates off a grid without checking whether each square is worth one unit.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is geometrical problems on coordinate axes on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for geometrical problems on coordinate axes?
Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Finding a midpoint by subtracting the coordinates instead of averaging them.
Are these past paper questions?
No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.
Back to Geometry and measures at Foundation or at Higher.