Mathematics - National 4

Vale of Leven Academy

This Course will develop skills for further learning, as well as skills for life and work. Learners will acquire and apply operational skills necessary for developing mathematical ideas through symbolic representation and diagrams. They will select and apply mathematical techniques and will develop their understanding of the interdependencies within mathematics. Learners will develop mathematical reasoning skills and will gain experience in making informed decisions.

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to straightforward mathematical expressions and formulae. These include the manipulation of abstract terms, the simplification of expressions and the evaluation of formulae. The Outcomes cover aspects of algebra, geometry, statistics and reasoning.

Mathematics: Relationships (National 4)

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to straightforward mathematical relationships. These include solving equations, understanding graphs and working with trigonometric ratios. The Outcomes cover aspects of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics and reasoning.

Numeracy (National 4)

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.

Mathematics Test (National 4)

This is the Added Value Unit of the National 4 Mathematics Course. The general aim of this Unit is to enable the learner to provide evidence of added value for the National 4 Mathematics Course through the successful completion of a test which will allow the learner to demonstrate breadth and challenge. Breadth and challenge will be demonstrated through the use and integration of mathematical ideas and strategies linked to straightforward mathematical expressions, formulae and relationships. This will include the application of algebraic, geometric, trigonometric, statistical and reasoning skills. Numerical skills underpin all aspects of the Course, and the ability to use these without the aid of a calculator will also be assessed.

Unit Assessment

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 judgements are consistent and meet national standards.

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

Mathematics: Expressions and Formulae (National 4)

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

• use mathematical operational skills linked to expressions and formulae
• use mathematical reasoning skills linked to expressions and formulae

Mathematics: Relationships (National 4)

Learners who complete the Unit will be able to:

• use mathematical operational skills linked to relationships
• use mathematical reasoning skills linked to relationships

Numeracy (National 4)

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

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 the National 4 Mathematics Course, the Added Value Unit will focus on:

• breadth
• challenge

The learner will draw on and apply the skills they have learned across the other three Units. This will be assessed through a test , which will offer opportunities to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills acquired from across the Units of the Course, sometimes in integrated ways.

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.