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Numeracy Higher November 2022 Unit 1 Q2

WJECHigherCurrent spec13 marksConstructionsStandard FormUnits & Time

2. Whales are sometimes spotted in the Irish Sea, off the west coast of Wales.

A minke whale was spotted on a bearing of:

  • 010° from Aberporth
  • 280° from Aberystwyth.
Map of the west coast of Wales with a scale bar 0 to 10 km; Barmouth, Tywyn, Aberdyfi, Borth, Aberystwyth and Aberporth on the coast, with north lines drawn at Aberystwyth and Aberporth

On screen this diagram may not be shown at actual size. To measure it, use the question paper (PDF) printed at 100%.

(a) Scientists decide to search for other whales in the Irish Sea.
The search area is the region within 20 km of the position where the minke whale was spotted.

Using the scale given, show this search area on the map above. [4]

(b) This minke whale has a length of 20 feet.

Remember:   1 inch ≈ 2·5 cm,   1 foot = 12 inches

Use these facts to complete the following statement. [3]

The minke whale has a length of …………… metres.

(c) The brain of a minke whale has 12·8 billion neocortical neurons.
A female human brain has 19 billion neocortical neurons.

Remember:   1 billion = 1000 million

(i) Calculate an estimate for the number of neurons in a minke whale brain expressed as a percentage of the number of neurons in a female human brain.
You must show all your working. [2]

Approximately …………… %

(ii) 10% of all neocortical neurons are lost over a human lifespan.
Calculate the number of neocortical neurons in a female human brain at the end of a lifespan.
Give your answer in standard form. [4]