Further Maths
Why Study Further Maths?
It all comes down to what Maths is! Just as languages provide the building blocks and rules we need to communicate, Maths uses its own language, made up of numbers, symbols and formulas, to explore the rules we need to measure or identify essential problems like distance, speed, time, space, change, force and quantities. Studying Maths helps us find patterns and structure in our lives. The A level consists of a mixture of pure and applied topics. Two thirds of the material devoted to the Pure Maths element and one third to the applied element. The applied aspect of the course is comprised of topics in Mechanics. The aim of the course is to enable students to apply mathematical ideas to solve problems in a range of contexts and to be able to reason mathematically in coming to conclusions. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning within a supportive and caring environment.
Future careers linked to this subject:
Mathematics can be taken as a discrete subject at university and is also a key component of undergraduate courses such as Physics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Computer Science and Architecture.
Assessment Criteria
There are 4 x 90 min exams at the end of the two year course. The assessment will consist of two papers of pure maths and two papers of applied maths. You are allowed to use a calculator in all of the assessments.
Core Pure Mathematics topics are:
- Proof Algebra and Functions
- Complex numbers
- Matrices
- Further algebra and functions
- Further calculus
- Further vectors
- Polar coordinates
- Hyperbolic functions
- Differential equations
- Mechanics topics are:
- Momentum and Impulse
- Work energy and power
- Collisions in 1 and 2 dimensions
- Circular motion
- Centre of mass
- Simple harmonic motion
- Variable acceleration
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students will need to be very comfortable with the more challenging GCSE concepts, algebra in particular. For this reason, students will need to have at least a grade 8 at GCSE Maths.
EXAMINATION BOARD
EDEXCEL