Mathematics

A Level Mathematics

What is it about at sixth form level?

Maths at A level deals with abstract and sometimes difficult concepts, but it always examines the knowledge and understanding of these concepts by means of practical questions. Two-thirds of the A level involves the study of Pure Maths, which greatly extends the Geometry and Trigonometry and particularly the Algebra studied at GCSE or IGCSE, as well as introducing a new topic called Calculus which deals with finding the gradients of curves and areas between curves and lines, and with solving what are known as differential equations. The other one-third of the A level involves the study of Statistics and Mechanics. Statistics involves studying the idea of sampling, the presentation and interpretation of data, probability, statistical distributions (essentially patterns) and hypothesis testing. The Statistics part of Maths A level builds on the Handling Data and Probability sections of GCSE or IGCSE Maths. Mechanics involves studying kinematics (including the SUVAT equations), Newton’s laws of motion and forces and moments. The Mechanics part of Maths A level will be familiar to students who have studied or are studying Physics or the Physics part of Combined Science. Students need to study both Statistics and Mechanics in Maths A level.

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Lower sixth

Autumn term
Much of the autumn term of the course builds the foundations of the subject, starting with familiar topics from IGCSE such as indices, quadratic functions, trigonometry and coordinate geometry. Later the fundamentals of calculus (differentiation and integration) are introduced together with some of its applications. Students also study Statistics in the autumn term. We look at probability, at the binomial and normal distributions and at using hypothesis tests to explore the likelihood of statements (the null hypotheses) being true.

Spring and Summer terms
Calculus is covered in considerable depth with the emphasis on extended problem- solving which draws on a wide rangethat draws on a range of
mathematical concepts. Various methods of proof are also looked at – we consider met which can be used to answer some interesting questions such as why must there must be infinitely-manyan infnite number of prime numbers and why the square root of 2 cannot be equal to any fraction. Students also study Mechanics in the spring and summer terms. We look at the SUVAT equations and Newton’s laws of motion, and at the motion of projectiles and the topic of moments – anybody who has ever been on a see-saw will instinctively know about moments.

Upper sixth

Second year
Calculus is covered in considerable depth with the emphasis on extended problem-solving which draws on a wide range of mathematical concepts. Various methods of proof are also looked at – we consider why there must be infinitely-many prime numbers and why the square root of 2 cannot be equal to any fraction. In Statistics we look at using hypothesis tests to explore the likelihood of statements (the null hypotheses) being true. In Mechanics we look at the motion of projectiles and at the topic of moments – anybody who has ever been on a see-saw will instinctively know about moments.

Why study it and what skills does it develop?

Maths is a highly-respected subject that develops students’ ability to analyse problems and to think logically about solving them. Maths A level is a prerequisite for the study of a wide variety of disciplines at university, including Architecture, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Geography, Psychology and Physics. Maths A level is highly valued by employers across a wide range of jobs.

What prior knowledge and skills are required?

A minimum grade of 7 at GCSE or IGCSE mathematics.

How is the course assessed?

A level

The course is assessed entirely by written examinations: two Pure Maths papers and one Statistics and Mechanics paper. All papers are equally weighted and are 2 hours long.

Reading

Mathematics for A-Level The Textbook
Exam Board: Edexcel
Published by CGP Books
CGP Product Code: MHN72
ISBN 9781782947233

Exam Board and Specification Codes

Pearson-Edexcel 9MA0

Dave Costin
Head of Department

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Mathematics

A Level Mathematics

What is it about at sixth form level?

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Lower sixth

Upper sixth

Why study it and what skills does it develop?

What prior knowledge and skills are required?

How is the course assessed?

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Exam Board and Specification Codes

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