Applications of Mathematics - N4

SCQF Framework

SCQF Level: 4

SCQF Credit Points: 24

Skills Framework

Delivering Centre

Vale of Leven Academy

Purpose and Aims

The National 4 Applications of Mathematics Course builds on the principles and practice and experiences and outcomes of mathematics and numeracy.

Mathematics is important in everyday life, allowing us to make sense of the world around us and to manage our lives. Using mathematics enables us to model real-life situations and make connections and informed predictions.

It equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk, and make informed decisions. Because mathematics is rich and stimulating, it engages and fascinates learners of all ages, interests and abilities.

Learning mathematics develops logical reasoning, analysis, problem-solving skills, creativity, and the ability to think in abstract ways. It uses a universal language of numbers and symbols, which allows us to communicate ideas in a concise, unambiguous and rigorous way.

Mathematics equips us with many of the skills required for life, learning and work. Understanding the part that mathematics plays in almost all aspects of life is crucial. This reinforces the need for mathematics to play an integral part in lifelong learning, and be appreciated for the richness it brings.

This Course allows learners to acquire and develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, as well as the attributes and capabilities of the four capacities.

For example: success in mathematical learning leads to increased confidence as an individual in everyday situations; being numerically capable, especially in financial matters, helps towards becoming a responsible citizen; and being able to plan and organise will help in becoming an effective contributor.

The skills, knowledge and understanding developed in this Course support learning in other curriculum areas such as technology, health and wellbeing, science, and social studies.

Recommended Entry

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

  • National 3 Applications of Mathematics or relevant component Units


Progression

This Course or its Units may provide progression to:

  • other qualifications in Mathematics or related areas

  • further study, employment or training

Career Options

Further Information

National 4 Applications of Mathematics Course Specification

National 4 Applications of Mathematics BBC Bitesize

Course Content

This Course will develop skills for learning, life and work, through context and application-led learning. Through real-life contexts, learners will acquire the ability to apply mathematical operational skills relevant to life and work.

In addition, learners will develop mathematical reasoning skills and will gain experience in problem solving and in using mathematics to draw conclusions and make informed decisions.

The Course includes the freestanding Unit in Numeracy at SCQF level 4. Units are statements of standards for assessment and not programmes of learning and teaching. They can be delivered in a number of ways.

The Course has four Units, totalling 24 SCQF credit points.

Applications of Mathematics: Managing Finance and Statistics

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills that focus on the use of mathematical ideas and strategies that can be applied to managing finance and statistics in straightforward real-life contexts. This includes using skills in budgeting as well as skills in organising and presenting data, to explain solutions and/or draw conclusions. The Outcomes cover aspects of finance and statistics in real-life situations requiring mathematical reasoning.

Applications of Mathematics: Geometry and Measures

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills that focus on the use of mathematical ideas and strategies that can be applied to geometry and measurement in straightforward real-life contexts. This includes using skills in interpreting and in using shape, space and measures to determine and explain solutions. The Outcomes cover aspects of geometry and measurement in real-life situations requiring mathematical reasoning.

Numeracy

The general aim of this Unit is to develop learners’ numerical and information handling skills to solve straightforward, real-life problems involving number, money, time and measurement. As learners tackle real-life problems, they will decide what numeracy skills to use and how to apply these skills to an appropriate level of accuracy. Learners will also interpret graphical data and use their knowledge and understanding of probability to identify solutions to straightforward real-life problems involving money, time and measurement. Learners will use their solutions to make and explain decisions.

Added Value Unit: Applications of Mathematics Test

The general aim of this Unit is to enable the learner to provide evidence of added value for the National 4 Applications of Mathematics Course through successful completion of a test which will allow the learner to demonstrate breadth and application. Breadth and application will be demonstrated through the use of mathematical ideas and strategies that can be applied to organising and planning straightforward aspects in personal life, the workplace and the wider world.

This will include the application and integration of financial, measurement, geometric and statistical skills in real-life contexts involving reasoning. Numerical skills underpin all aspects of the Unit and the ability to use these without the aid of a calculator will also be assessed.

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: Managing Finance and Statistics

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • use reasoning skills and financial skills linked to straightforward real-life contexts

  • use reasoning skills and statistical skills linked to straightforward real-life contexts

Applications of Mathematics: Geometry and Measures

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • use reasoning skills and measurement skills linked to straightforward real-life contexts

  • use reasoning skills and geometric skills linked to straightforward real-life contexts

Numeracy

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

  • use numerical skills to solve straightforward, real-life problems involving money/time/measurement

  • interpret graphical data and situations involving probability to solve straightforward real-life problems involving money/time/measurement

Added Value Unit Courses from National 4 to Advanced Higher include assessment of added value. At National 4, added value will be assessed in an Added Value Unit.

The Added Value Unit will address the key purposes and aims of the Course as defined in the Course Rationale. It will do this by addressing one or more of breadth, challenge or application.

In National 4 Applications of Mathematics Course, the Added Value Unit will focus on

  • breadth

  • application

The learner will draw on and apply the skills they have learned during the Course. This will be assessed through a test , which will offer opportunities to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills acquired from across the component Units of the Course in new real-life situations. As an aid to meeting these aims, skills in using a calculator will be developed and a calculator will be permitted in part of the test.