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Blackfen School for Girls

Blackfen School for Girls

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Mathematics A Level

Mathematics

Exam board: Edexcel

Why study this subject:

A level Mathematics is an interesting and challenging course which extends the methods you learned at GCSE and includes applications of mathematics, such as Statistics and Mechanics.

Statistics – Collecting and analysing data and using this to make predictions about future events. Many subjects make use of statistical information and techniques. An understanding of probability and risk is important in careers like insurance, medicine, engineering and the sciences.

Mechanics – Modelling and analysing the physical world around us, including the study of forces and motion. Mechanics is particular useful to students studying physics and engineering .

The Mathematical skills you learn in A level Mathematics are of great benefit in other A level subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Computing, Geography, Psychology, Economics and Business studies.

Units:

The A level in Mathematics consist of three units :

Pure Mathematics 1, Covering Proof, Algebra and functions, Coordinate geometry in the (x,y) plane, Sequences and series, trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation, Integration and Vectors.

Pure Mathematics 2, Covering Proof, Algebra and functions, coordinate geometry in the (x, y ) plane, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Differentiation, Integration and Numerical methods.

Statistics and Mechanics. Statistics will cover Statistical sampling, Data presentation and interpretation, Probability, Statistical distributions and Statistical hypothesis testing. Mechanics will cover Quantities and units in mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s laws and  Moments.

How will I be assessed: 

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics consists of three externally examined papers.

Students must complete all assessment in May/June at the end of Year 13.

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1

Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2— All the content of the specification for Paper 1 is assumed knowledge for Paper 2 and may also be tested within parts of questions.

Paper 3: The assessment will comprise two sections : Section A—Statistics and Section B—Mechanics.

The three exams are written examinations, 2 hours in length ,each paper counts towards 33.33% of the qualification  and is out of  100 marks. A calculator can be used in all assessments – the casio classwiz calculator is recommended for this course.

Future course and possible careers:

It is important to have strong maths skills for progression to many degree courses at university. A Level Mathematics is also essential or desirable for a wide range of degree courses including Economics, Computing, Social sciences, Sciences and Business.

There are many new applications of mathematics in technology: Games design, Internet security and Programming. On-going applications in engineering such as Aircraft Modelling ,Fluid Flows, Acoustic Engineering , Electronics and Civil Engineering …and new scientific processes such as Modelling populations ,Quantum Physics, Astronomy, Forensics and DNA sequencing. Psychologists use statistics to analyse the relationships between variables and predict behaviours. Financial systems and online purchasing systems are also underpinned by Mathematics, relying heavily on online security and encryption.