Mathematics

Course summary

Mathematics at the Advanced level is a course worth studying not only as a supporting subject for the physical and social sciences but in its own right. It is challenging but interesting. It builds on work you will have met at GCSE but also involves new ideas produced by some of the greatest minds of the last millennium. While studying mathematics you will be expected to: ● Use mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems. ● Solve problems by using mathematical arguments and logic. You will also have to understand and demonstrate what is meant by proof in mathematics. ● Simplify real-life situations so that you can use mathematics to show what is happening and what might happen in different circumstances. ● Use the mathematics that you learn to solve problems that are given to you in a real-life context. ● Use calculator technology and other resources (such as formulae booklets, statistical tables, and large data sets) effectively and appropriately; understand calculator limitations and when it is inappropriate to use such technology. The content is split into two broad areas: Pure Mathematics - Proof, Algebra, and functions, Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Numerical methods, Vectors Applied Mathematics - This is broken down into Mechanics and Statistics: Mechanics: Quantities and units in mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s laws, Moments Statistics: Statistical sampling, Data presentation and interpretation, Probability, Statistical distributions, Statistical hypothesis testing