Mathematics & Further Mathematics

MATHEMATICS & FURTHER MATHEMATICS (EDEXCEL)

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

During the course there will be opportunities for students to experience the following:

• recall, select and use their knowledge of mathematical facts, concepts and techniques in a variety of contexts; • construct rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs through use of precise statements, logical deduction and inference and by the manipulation of mathematical expressions, including the construction of extended arguments for handling substantial problems presented in unstructured form; • recall, select and use their knowledge of standard mathematical models to represent situations in the real world; recognise and understand given representations involving standard models; present and interpret results from such models in terms of the original situation, including discussion of the assumptions made and refinement of such models; • comprehend translations of realistic contexts into Mathematics; use the results of calculations to make predictions, or comment on the context; and, where appropriate, read critically and comprehend longer mathematical arguments; • use contemporary technology and other permitted resources (such as formulae booklets) accurately and efficiently; understand when not to use such technology, and its limitations. Give answers to appropriate accuracy.

A TWO YEAR A LEVEL COURSE, EXAMINED AT THE END OF YEAR 13.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO BEFORE TAKING MATHEMATICS IN THE SIXTH FORM?

ENTRY TO THE MATHEMATICS COURSE

Much of the subject matter required by candidates builds upon content within the Edexcel Higher tier GCSE or IGCSE syllabus. So, any student who has only studied Mathematics at Foundation tier GCSE or IGCSE, will not be considered for the course. Mathematics is a very taxing subject at A Level.

Students must obtain either a Grade 7, 8 or 9 at GCSE/iGCSE Maths in order to study the subject at A Level.

ENTRY TO THE FURTHER MATHEMATICS COURSE

This course is normally only accessible to the very best Mathematicians in the school, and students wishing to study Mathematics at this level should give due consideration to this fact. Students must obtain a

Grade 8 or 9 at GCSE/iGCSE Maths in order to study Further Maths at A Level.

WHAT KIND OF STUDENT IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR?

The units will enrich students who enjoy the challenges of Mathematics and enable them to:

• develop their confidence and gain enjoyment;

• extend their range of mathematical skills and techniques and use them in more difficult, unstructured problems;

• develop an understanding of coherence and progression in Mathematics and of how different areas of mathematics can be connected;

• recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between ‘real-world’ problems and standard and other mathematical models and how these can be refined and improved;

• use Mathematics as an effective means of communication;

• develop an awareness of the relevance of

Mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general;

• take increasing responsibility for their own learning and the evaluation of their own mathematical development.

WHAT EXAMINATIONS WILL I HAVE TO TAKE TO GAIN MY QUALIFICATION?

A LEVEL MATHEMATICS

This is a linear course with all examinations taken in the summer session of the Upper Sixth. There will be three examinations papers, each lasting last 2 hours, and each out of 100 marks.

Paper 1 and Paper 2 will focus on the following Pure Mathematics topics: proof, algebra and functions, geometry in the (x,y) plane, sequences and series, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, numerical methods and vectors.

Paper 3 will consist of two parts. One part will focus on Statistics; topics include: statistical sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions and statistical hypothesis testing. The other part will focus on Mechanics; topics include: quantities and units in mechanics, kinematics, forces and Newton’s laws and moments.

A LEVEL FURTHER MATHEMATICS

This a linear course with all examinations taken in the summer session of the Upper Sixth. Students will study for 5 examinations, 2 of which are compulsory, with the best 2 of the remaining modules used to calculate the overall grade.

Papers 1 and 2 will introduce the following Pure Mathematics topics: proof, complex numbers, matrices, further algebra and functions, further calculus, further vectors, hyperbolic functions and differential equations.

The other papers taught are: • Further Mechanics 1 • Further Statistics 1

The Further Statistics 1 option paper consists of the following topics: linear regression, statistical distributions (discrete), statistical distributions (continuous), correlation, hypothesis testing, chi-squared tests. The Further Mechanics 1 option paper consists of the following topics: momentum and impulse, collisions, centres of mass, work and energy, elastic strings and springs.

WHAT COULD I GO ON TO DO AT THE END OF MY COURSE?

Success in A Level Mathematics is very highly regarded in Higher Education, as well as by employers, so it is a very valuable qualification. Many of the techniques found within Mathematics make a very useful contribution to other subjects, particularly scientific, although its interpretive potential has great application in many social science and quantitative research courses. Intrinsically, the order, discipline and logical processes within the Mathematics course are immensely satisfying and rewarding to those who can master them.

Kingswood students regularly take up places at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities to read Mathematics and subjects which rely heavily on Mathematics.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFICATIONS

Edexcel provides a full specification of the course as well as specimen examination material. For this, please follow the link below:

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/ edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.html