Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Applied Maths

Leaving Cert Applied Maths: The modelling cycle & assumptions

How often The modelling cycle & assumptions comes up on the Applied Maths papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

OL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

The modelling cycle & assumptions, Ordinary Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on The modelling cycle & assumptions.

(a)Why do we make assumptions when building a mathematical model?
  1. To make the answer exactly right every time
  2. To simplify the real problem so it can be solved
  3. So the model never needs to be checked
(b)A string is modelled as inextensible. What does this mean?
  1. It is smooth
  2. It has no mass
  3. It does not stretch
(c)A network model gives each road a fixed travel time. Which is a limitation?
  1. Real travel times vary with traffic
  2. Nodes must be towns
  3. Networks cannot have weights
Show the answers

(a) To simplify the real problem so it can be solved

(b) It does not stretch

(c) Real travel times vary with traffic

Your turn: Ordinary Level questions on The modelling cycle & assumptions.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q6
2023Q5, Q9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More The modelling cycle & assumptions questions

The modelling cycle & assumptions, 3 marks

A braking model assumed a dry road. On an icy road the real stopping distance will be…

  1. Shorter
  2. The same
  3. Longer
Show the answer

Longer

Ice gives much less friction, so the braking force and deceleration are smaller. With v² = u² + 2as, a smaller deceleration means a longer stopping distance.

The modelling cycle & assumptions, 2 marks

Which order follows the modelling cycle?

  1. Compare with reality, then define the problem
  2. Make assumptions, solve, then compare with reality
  3. Solve, make assumptions, then define the problem
Show the answer

Make assumptions, solve, then compare with reality

First pin down the problem and simplify it with assumptions, then build and solve the model, then test the answer against real data and refine it if needed.

The modelling cycle & assumptions, 3 marks

A savings model assumes the interest rate never changes. This is…

  1. A limitation, as real rates can change
  2. A fact true of every savings account
  3. The reason the model is always exact
Show the answer

A limitation, as real rates can change

Fixing the rate keeps the maths simple, but banks can change rates, so long-range predictions from the model may be wrong.

Other Applied Maths topics

All of Leaving Cert Applied Maths