Mathematics

Assessment

The subject is divided into two main areas of study: Pure and Applied Mathematics. The Pure section develops concepts already met at GCSE, such as graphs, trigonometry, algebra, sequences and vectors, and also introduces new topics such as the fundamentally important calculus, involving differentiation and integration. Four out of the six units at A Level, including two of three at AS Level, will be Pure Mathematics units. There is some degree of choice with Applied units, but 2 units will be offered from Mechanics, Statistics or Decision Maths. Mechanics introduces the idea of modelling real life situations in order to study the motion or equilibrium of bodies. Students are likely to have come across some of the content, such as forces and Newton’s Laws if they have studied Physics at GCSE. Statistics builds upon GCSE data handling and probability, and introduces random variables and bivariate data (correlation and regression). Decision Maths involves the application of algorithms to complex problems.