← Product Design and Technologies syllabus

EnglandProduct Design and Technologies

Mathematical and technical principles

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do designers calculate the quantity of material, the cost and the selling price of a product?

Calculating quantities of material and the cost of manufacture, including material and component costs, waste and yield, fixed and variable costs, unit cost, percentage profit and markup, break-even quantity, value added tax (VAT) and how costing informs pricing and the choice of process and scale.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on costing and quantities, covering material and component costs, waste and yield, fixed and variable costs, unit cost, percentage profit and markup, break-even and VAT, and how costing informs pricing and process choice.
13 min answer →

How is data collected, presented and analysed to inform design decisions?

Handling data in design, including collecting primary and secondary data, calculating measures of average (mean, median, mode) and range, presenting data with tables, bar charts, pie charts and line graphs, interpreting graphs and trends, and using statistics and probability to inform decisions about user needs, testing and quality.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on handling data, covering primary and secondary data, mean, median, mode and range, presenting data with charts and graphs, interpreting trends, and using statistics and probability to inform design and quality decisions.
13 min answer →

How are scales, ratios and geometry used in technical drawing and to size products?

Working with scale and ratio in drawings and models, reading and using scales (for example 1:2, 1:5, 1:10 and enlargement scales), calculating areas and volumes for material estimation, using trigonometry and geometry to find lengths and angles, surface area and capacity calculations, and converting between units in a design context.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on scale, ratio and geometry, covering reading and using drawing scales, ratio and proportion, area and volume for material estimation, trigonometry for lengths and angles, surface area and capacity, and unit conversion.
13 min answer →

How are tolerances and fits used to guarantee parts work together, and how is quality controlled?

Tolerance and its role in manufacture (nominal size, upper and lower limits, tolerance band, bilateral and unilateral tolerance), types of fit (clearance, interference, transition), how tolerance affects cost and interchangeability, and the role of quality control and quality assurance including go and no-go gauges in checking parts.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on tolerance and fits, covering nominal size and limits, the tolerance band, clearance, interference and transition fits, the cost and interchangeability of tolerance, and quality control with go and no-go gauges.
13 min answer →