DfE statement R6 · Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Multiplicative relationships as ratios or fractions
Multiplicative relationships as ratios or fractions is content statement R6 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the ratio, proportion and rates of change 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: "Express a multiplicative relationship between two quantities as a ratio or a fraction." (statement R6). 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
- Describing the relationship additively — 'B is 5 more than A' — when the question asks for it multiplicatively, as a ratio or a fraction.
- Inverting the relationship, giving A as a multiple of B where B as a multiple of A was asked for.
- Giving the multiplier as a percentage change when a ratio or fraction was required.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is multiplicative relationships as ratios or fractions on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for multiplicative relationships as ratios or fractions?
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?
Describing the relationship additively — 'B is 5 more than A' — when the question asks for it multiplicatively, as a ratio or a fraction.
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 Ratio, proportion and rates of change at Foundation or at Higher.