Weight - GCSE Maths Definition

In everyday language, weight loosely refers to how heavy an object (often a human being) is. As such, in everyday language, weight would be measured in metric units such as grams (g) or kilograms (kg), or imperial units such as pounds (lb) and ounces (oz).

In mathematics - and science - weight is a force. It is the force an object feels due to gravity. Weight is measured in Newtons (N). The mass of an object (often confused with weight) is a measure of how much matter makes up an object. Mass is measured in units including grams (g) and kilograms (kg). Gravity changes depending on where we are referring to in the universe - you are probably aware that the gravity on the moon is a lot less than on earth; this means that weight changes with location. Mass does not.

In GCSE Mathematics, weight will often be used in the everyday sense. For example, questions may refer to the weight (rather than mass) of different ingredients making up a recipe - and so use units such as grams or ounces. Problems may involve adapting a given recipe to provide enough food for a certain number of people. Another example is determining whether a lift, of maximum load 800 kg, say, would be able to carry 12 people of average weight 75 kg.