Pressure - GCSE Maths Definition

Pressure is a measure of how much force is applied over a particular area. For example, imagine pressing your finger down on a table; you are applying a force in a relatively small area; if instead, you use the palm of your hand to apply the same force, the pressure on the table becomes less as the same force is spread over a larger area of the table rather than being concentrated at your fingertip.

So, pressure is related to force and area. As an equation,

One important use of pressure would be in deep sea diving - the sheer amount of water above (a deep sea diver or submarine) will create a very strong force (weight) over a relatively small area (i.e. the diver or a submarine, say). In GCSE Mathematics, you may be required to solve problems using this relationship between pressure, force and area.