Further Mathematics

SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM: FURTHER MATHEMATICS

Further Mathematics provides the opportunity for students to extend and deepen their knowledge and understanding further, building beyond the standard A level course. Students will use their mathematical knowledge to make logical and reasoned decisions in solving problems both within pure mathematics and in a variety of contexts. Students will also be required to clearly communicate the mathematical rationale for their decisions. This course is studied in addition to the A level mathematics course.

COURSE DETAILS

The course is assessed by four papers at the end of Year 13. All papers are 75 marks in total, 90 minutes long and count for 25% of the final grade. Papers 1 and 2 are Core Pure Mathematics, paper 3 is Further Pure 1 and paper 4 is Further Statistics 1. Calculators are a requirement for all papers.

COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS

Overwhelmingly, students taking Further Mathematics find it to be an enjoyable, rewarding, stimulating and empowering experience. For more able A level Mathematics students it enables them to distinguish themselves as able mathematicians both for university applications and in the employment market. For students who enjoy mathematics, it provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and/ or more sophisticated mathematical concepts.

Studying Further Mathematics • broadens their mathematical skills and promotes deeper mathematical thinking; • helps ensure a successful progression to mathematics-based subjects at university; • is a requirement for entry to prestigious mathematics-based courses at leading universities and improves their chances of an offer at many others; • is a way to make their university application stand out; • is not just for students who want to become engineers or physicists

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Any student applying to study a science, technology, engineering, or other mathematics-related degree, such as economics, should consider taking Further Mathematics to at least AS level.

BE INSPIRED BY EXPLORING FURTHER

There are lots of excellent about both mathematics and mathematicians, such as The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: a biography of Paul Erdös, one of the most prolific mathematicians ever! For other recommended reads, try: Recommended Books (maths.org)

Collections of problems and questions: Advanced Problems in Mathematics by Stephen Siklos It has an excellent selection of graded problems, including hints, solutions and discussions for each.

Examples of Interesting Maths: https://youtu.be/lubGnk0UZt0

https://youtu.be/un-pTKfC1dQ

UKMT Challenge tasks

Senior Mathematical Challenge archive | UK Mathematics Trust (ukmt.org.uk)