Applications of Mathematics - N3

SCQF Framework

SCQF Level: 3

SCQF Credit Points: 18

Skills Framework

Delivering Centre

Vale of Leven Academy

Purpose and Aims

The National 3 Applications of Mathematics Course will help learners to become numerate, to make sense of the world around them and to function responsibly and independently in everyday life.

The Course, which includes the freestanding Unit in Numeracy at SCQF level 3, will motivate and challenge learners by enabling them to select and apply mathematical and numerical skills in a variety of mathematical and real-life situations.

The Course includes the study of number, money, shape, space and measurement in everyday life, allowing individuals to interpret data and tackle real-life situations.

It is designed to develop the learners’ skills relevant to learning, life and work in an engaging and enjoyable way.

The Course develops confidence in the subject and a positive attitude towards further study in mathematics and other subject areas which use mathematics.

The aims of this Course are to enable learners to:

  • interpret real-life situations involving mathematics
  • investigate the use of basic mathematical ideas and number processes in real-life contexts
  • select and apply basic mathematical and numeracy skills in real-life contexts
  • interpret and use the results of calculations, measurements and data to make informed decisions
  • communicate mathematical information in an appropriate way

Recommended Entry

Entry to this Course is at the discretion of the centre. However, learners would normally be expected to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

  • National 2 Lifeskills Mathematics Course In terms of prior learning and experience, relevant experiences and outcomes may also provide an appropriate basis for doing this Course.


Progression

This Course or its Units may provide progression to:

  • other qualifications in Mathematics, Applications of Mathematics or related areas
  • further study, employment or training

Career Options

Further Information

Applications of Mathematics Course Specification

Course Content

This Course enables learners to acquire mathematical and numerical skills and apply them in a variety of real-life situations.

In addition, learners will develop thinking skills and will gain experience in making informed decisions. The Course includes the freestanding Unit in Numeracy at SCQF level 3.

Units are statements of standards for assessment and not programmes of learning and teaching. They can be delivered in a number of ways.

Applications of Mathematics: Manage Money and Data

The general aim of this Unit is to enable learners to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of mathematics and numeracy to manage money and data in real-life contexts. Learners will build on their mathematical and numerical skills to determine factors affecting income and expenditure, budgeting and saving. Learners will also organise, present and interpret data based on real-life contexts.

Applications of Mathematics: Shape, Space and Measures

The general aims of this Unit is to enable learners to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of shape, space and measures in real-life contexts. Learners will build on their mathematical and numerical skills by using measures and elementary geometry to tackle real-life situations.

Numeracy

The general aim of this Unit is to develop learners’ numerical and information handling skills to solve simple, real-life problems involving number, money, time and measurement. As learners tackle real-life problems, they will use their knowledge of number processes, information handling and probability to make informed decisions.

Course Assessment Structure

All Units are internally assessed against the requirements shown in the Unit Specification.

They can be assessed on an individual Unit basis or by using other approaches which combine the assessment for more than one Unit.

They will be assessed on a pass/fail basis within centres. SQA will provide rigorous external quality assurance, including external verification, to ensure assessment judgments are consistent and meet national standards.

The assessment of the Units in this Course will be as follows.

Applications of Mathematics: Manage Money and Data

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • manage money in basic real-life contexts
  • manage data in basic real-life contexts

Applications of Mathematics: Shape, Space and Measures

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • use shape and space in basic real-life contexts
  • use measures in basic real-life contexts

Numeracy

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • use numerical skills to solve simple, real-life problems involving money/time/ measurement
  • interpret graphical data and situations involving probability to solve simple, real-life problems involving money/time/measurement