A compound measure combines two units – grams per cm³, litres per minute, people per km², miles per gallon. Density is the one that appears by name on Level 2 papers, but the same ‘something per something’ thinking runs through rate questions too. This free worksheet covers density and the rates the exam uses, with units checked at every step.
Free to download, print and share for personal or classroom use. Answers included.
What’s in this worksheet
- Section A – Density (13 marks)
- Section B – Other compound measures (15 marks)
- Revise box with the rules and methods for the topic
- Worked answers for every question
Common mistakes on this topic
From our tutors’ marking and the most recent examiner reports – check your work against these:
- Dividing the wrong way round – volume ÷ mass. Density is mass per unit volume, so mass goes on top.
- Forgetting to find the volume of the cuboid first, or mixing cm and m when doing so.
- Leaving the answer in grams when the question asks for kilograms or tonnes.
How to use it
- Print the worksheet (or work on screen) and attempt every question without looking at the answers. Give yourself a rough time limit – Level 2 exams are tight.
- Mark your work against the answer page. For maths, check the method as well as the final number; method marks are where most of the marks are.
- Read the ‘common mistakes’ notes below and check whether any of them happened to you. Then redo the questions you got wrong a day later.
Related free resources
- Speed, Distance and Time Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Perimeter Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Level 2 Maths Mini Practice Paper 1 – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- All free Functional Skills Maths Level 2 resources
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for density?
Density = mass ÷ volume. It tells you how much mass is packed into each unit of volume, in g/cm³ or kg/m³. Rearranged: mass = density × volume, and volume = mass ÷ density.
Why is density in the Functional Skills maths exam?
It is a compound measure – a quantity made from two others – and Level 2 tests whether you can use one. The same skill covers speed, flow rates, population density and fuel consumption.
What density does water have?
1 g/cm³, which is the same as 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a lower density floats on water; anything denser sinks. The worksheet uses this to compare oil and honey.
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