Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of patterns abstracted from the world around us— it has thousands of applications in almost all aspects of life. As well as being a course worth studying in its own right, Mathematics supports many other subjects, most notably the sciences.
Pure
Proof
Algebra and Functions - manipulating algebra and sketching graphs
Coordinate geometry - Equations of straight lines and circles
Binomial expansion - expanding (a + b)n
Sequences and series
Trigonometry
Exponentials and logarithms
Differentiation
Integration
Vectors - in 2 dimensions
Statistics
Statistical sampling
Data presentation and interpretation
Probability
Statistical distributions - Binomial distribution
Statistical hypothesis testing - Hypothesis test on a binomial distribution
Mechanics
Quantities and units in mechanics
Kinematics - Problems involving motion with constant or variable acceleration
Forces and Newton’s laws - Horizontal and vertical forces only
Pure
Proof - Proof by contradiction
Further Algebra and Functions
Parametric equations
Binomial expansion - negative and fractional powers
Further Trigonometry
Further Differentiation
Further Integration
Numerical Methods
Vectors - in 3 dimensions
Statistics
Probability - conditional probability
Statistical distributions - Normal distribution
Statistical hypothesis testing - Hypothesis test on a normal distribution, hypothesis test for correlation
Mechanics
Kinematics - Extending to 2 dimensional motion using vectors, Projectiles
Forces and Newton’s Laws - Extending to forces inclined at an angle and particles on inclined planes, Friction
Moments - Using moments to solve problems where forces act on a rod, Ladder problems
The A Level will be assessed by means of 3 papers, each 2 hours long. All exams are sat at the end of year 13.
Paper 1 — Pure Mathematics
Paper 2 — Pure Mathematics
Paper 3 — Statistics and Mechanics
The Exam Board is Edexcel. Here is a link to the full specification.
All students will require a calculator with advanced functionality. We strongly recommend the Casio FX-991CW.
There is no optionality; all students sit the same papers.
There are overarching themes of mathematical argument, language and proof, problem-solving and mathematical modelling in all aspects of the course.
You can also choose Further Mathematics as an additional A Level, which might be useful if you are thinking about studying Mathematics, Engineering or Physics at university.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Alexa Higazi, Head of Mathematics, on akh@farlingtonschool.com