Difficulty: Rating: GCSE Marks:

GCSE Text:
The highest road on a volcano is 2,250 metres above sea level. The peak is a further 1.4km higher than the road and can only be reached by cable car, or by walking.

What is the height (in metres) of the peak of the volcano?

Suggestions:
This is a good GCSE level question for students sitting foundation papers. Students need to be able to convert km to metres comfortably. Low and medium ability students enjoy this, even though it is only a 3 minute challenge.

Extension Ideas:
Teachers could extend the learning by considering:

• The temperature at the top of the volcano is 15ºC cooler than on the highest road.  If the air temperature when standing on the road is 21º, what will the temperature at the top be?
• The cable car travels a total of 1650 metres at a speed of 2.5 metres per second. How long will it take the cable car to reach the peak of the volcano?