Mathematics (Further)

Course summary

Pure Mathematics. The Pure Mathematics element of Further Mathematics builds on the topics of Functions, Algebra, Differential Equations and Calculus introduced in the standard Mathematics A Level. New topics include Complex Numbers, Matrices and Mathematical Proof. Further Pure Mathematics makes up 50% of the A level course. Applied Mathematics. All students studying Further Mathematics at A Level will study aspects of Applied Mathematics. This makes up the remaining 50% of the course. In the first year, students will cover new topics from a branch of Mathematics called Decision Mathematics. In the second year, students will continue to study Decision Mathematics or topics from Statistics and Mechanics that are additional to those covered in standard A Level Mathematics. Decision Mathematics - this looks, amongst other things, at how to solve problems involving networks (e.g. computer, road, rail and telephone networks). Problems might include finding the shortest route by road from one city to another or perhaps the cheapest way of laying telephone cables to connect towns. You meet a range of methods, or algorithms, which enable such problems to be tackled. There are important applications of Decision Mathematics in very different areas such as in electronic circuits and the scheduling of tasks in the construction industry.