Mathematics

Course summary

Maths is one of the biggest facilitating subjects and it is essential for many higher education courses and careers. The course encourages students to see the links between different areas of maths and to apply their maths skills across a range of topics. It includes both theoretical mathematics and applied through statistics and mechanics. This qualification is linear and students will sit their examinations at the end of the two- year course. They will sit three 2 hour papers; pure, pure with mechanics and pure with statistics. Students will need a graphical calculator, the use of which is permitted in all three papers. Overview of topics: • Proof and mathematical communication Polynomials • Binomial theorem • Cartesian coordinate geometry Sequences and series Trigonometric functions Exponentials and logarithms Differentiation • Integration Numerical methods Statistical sampling • Data presentation and interpretation Probability and discrete random variables Statistical distributions • Statistical hypothesis testing Applications of vectors Differential equations Kinematics • Forces and Newton’s laws Moments Students are encouraged to: • Develop their understanding of mathematics and mathematical processes in a way that promotes confidence and fosters enjoyment. • Develop their abilities to reason logically and recognise incorrect reasoning, to generalise and to construct mathematical proofs. • Extend their range of mathematical skills and techniques and use them in more difficult, unstructured problems. • Recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between ‘real world’ problems and mathematical models. • Acquire the skills needed to use technology such as calculators and computers effectively, recognise when such use may be inappropriate and be aware of limitations. • Develop an awareness of the relevance of mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general.