Difficulty: Rating: GCSE Marks:

GCSE Text:
As part of a patio laying project, a square tile needs to be cut according to the design shown in this diagram.

An angle grinder is used to cut the tile, and the cut speed is 1mm per second. How long will it take to make the cut on this tile? Give your answer in minutes and seconds.

Suggestions:
This is a good starter question for GCSE students as the method is not specified in the question. Students need to select the appropriate trigonometric approach to take as well as consider different units. The extension task works well for higher paper GCSE students too.

Teachers could extend the learning by considering:

• It is the triangle that is needed as part of the patio, the trapezium will be discarded. What percentage of the full time will be discarded? Give your answer rounded to 1 d.p.