Mathematics

Syllabus: Edexcel - 8MAO (AS-Level) & 9MAO (A-Level)

1 - Why study Mathematics at A-Level?

• Stimulating and challenging courses
• Increases knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques and their applications
• Develop key employability skills such as problem-solving and logical reasoning.
• Develops communication and resilience
• Excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses
• Leads to versatile qualification that are well respected by employers and higher education
• Supports in the study of other subjects such as Geography and the sciences

2 - What will you study?

Year 12

Pure (66%)

1. Algebraic Expressions
2. Quadratics
3. Equations and inequalities
4. Graphs and transformations
5. Straight lines graphs
6. Circles
7. Algebraic methods
8. Trigonometric ratios
9. Binomial expansions
10. Trig identities and equations
11. Vectors
12. Differentiation
13. Integration
14. Exponentials and logs

Statistics (17%)

1. Data Collection
2. Measures of location and spread.
3. Representation of data
4. Correlation
5. Probability
6. Statistics distributions
7. Hypothesis testing

Mechanics (17%)

1. 1. Modelling and mechanics
2. Constant Accelerations
3. Forces and motion
4. Variable Acceleration

Year 13

Pure (66%)

1. Algebraic Methods
2. Functions and Graphs
3. Sequences and Series
4. Binomial Expansion
5. Radians
6. Tri. Functions
7. Trig Modelling
8. Parametric Equations
9. Differentiation
10. Numerical Methods
11. Integration
12. Vectors

Statistics (17%)

1. Regression, correlation and hypothesis testing
2. Conditional Probabilities
3. The normal distribution

Mechanics (17%)

1. Moments
2. Forces and Friction
3. Projectiles
4. Application of forces
5. Further Kinematics

3 - How will you be assessed?

100% assessment at the end of year 12 for the AS which consists of:

• Pure Paper 1 (66.6%)
• Applied Paper 2 (33.3%)

100% assessment at the end of year 13 comprising 3 papers:

• Pure Paper 1
• Pure Paper 2 (66.6%)
• Applied Paper 3 (33.3%)

4 - What skills will you develop?

Presentation, Logical Reasoning, Resilience, Problem solving and modelling of real life scenarios

5 - What makes a good Mathematics student?

• A good organisational skill
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Independent skills, wider reading and a good work ethics
• Willingness to attend external maths conferences both online and in person
• An inquisitive mind, resilience, perseverance and resolve
• Ability to recall, manipulate and rearrange simple and complex formulae

6 - Where can Mathematics lead?

Wide range of careers such as:

• Mathematician
• Engineer
• Games Designer
• Teacher
• Cryptographer
• Software developer and many more

7 - Reading list and preparation

Complete summer homework tasks available here.

1. Timothy Gowers – A very short introduction to Mathematics
2. Clifford Pickover – The wonders of numbers
3. Marcus du Sautoy – The Music of the Primes
4. Simon Singh – Fermat’s Last Theorem
5. Simon Singh – The Codebook
6. G. H. Hardy – A Mathematicians Apology
7. Stephen Hawking – A Brief History of time
8. Paul Hoffman – The man who loved only numbers
9. Robert Kanigel – The Man who knew Infinity
10. G Stephenson – Mathematical Methods for Science Students
11. Ian Stewart – Concepts in Modern Mathematics and many more

8 - Stretch and challenge resources

• STEP, TMUA and MAT for high achievers to help them to reach Russel group universities
• Integral and AMSP – enrichment courses
• UKMT