Mathematics A-Level | Surbiton High School
MATHEMATICS
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Mathematics A-Level

Examination Board: Edexcel

Primarily, you should study this subject if you have enjoyed Mathematics up to IGCSE level. It is a challenging but interesting subject that not only builds on the work you will have met at IGCSE, but also involves new ideas that some of the greatest minds of the millennium have produced. The courses offered serve as very useful support for many other A-level subjects (e.g. Economics, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Biology and Business) as well as leading to sought after qualifications for the workplace and courses in higher education (particularly Engineering, Physics, Economics and Computer Science).

It is important that your numerical and algebraic skills are of a very high standard. You will need to enjoy problem-solving and be prepared to persevere when solutions are not obvious.

The new Mathematics syllabus at AS and A-level is divided into three compulsory branches:

Pure Mathematics (Core Maths)

At this level, you will be extending your knowledge of such topics as Algebra and Trigonometry, as well as learning some brand new ideas such as Calculus and Logarithms.

Mechanics

In Mechanics, you will learn how to describe mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting upon them; from cars in the street to satellites revolving around a planet. You will learn mathematical modelling; that is, how to turn a complicated physical problem into a simpler one that can be analysed and solved using mathematical techniques.

Statistics

In Statistics, you will learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data in order to arrive at conclusions about the data. You will extend the work begun for IGCSE by using new mathematical techniques studied in the Pure Mathematics course.

A-level or AS?

Students now have the opportunity to take the full A-level or can elect to study the AS level across two years. The AS level consists of half the content of the A-level and is taught separately.

A-level

Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics 1

Examination: 2 hours (100 marks)
All questions are compulsory. Calculators can be used.
Proof; algebra and functions;
coordinate geometry, sequences and series, trigonometry, logarithms; differentiation and integration; vectors.

Paper 2 – Pure Mathematics 2

Examination: 2 hours (100 marks)
All questions are compulsory. Calculators can be used.
The contents of the syllabus for Paper 1 is assumed for this paper and may also be tested in it. This material is extended to receive a more advanced treatment, and some new topics are included such as Numerical Methods.

Paper 3 – Statistics and Mechanics

Examination: 2 hours (100 marks)
This paper will contain questions on both Statistics and Mechanics. All questions are compulsory. Calculators will be required.
Statistics: sampling and data representation; probability; statistical distributions; hypothesis testing.
Mechanics: motion in a straight line; forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion; moments and equilibrium.

AS Level

Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics 1

Examination: 2 hours (100 marks)
All questions are compulsory. Calculators can be used.
Proof; algebra and functions;
coordinate geometry, sequences and series, trigonometry, logarithms; differentiation and integration; vectors.

Paper 2 – Statistics and Mechanics

Examination: 1 hour 15 mins
(60 marks)
This paper will contain questions on both Statistics and Mechanics. All questions are compulsory. Calculators will be required.
Statistics: sampling and data representation; probability; statistical distributions; hypothesis testing.
Mechanics: motion in a straight line; forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion.