A LEVEL MATHEMATICS
Why study mathematics?
Mathematics helps one understand many aspects of the world. It is an exciting and challenging subject. The pure side provides the tools and techniques required to analyse and solve problems. The applied side provides opportunities to use mathematical models to understand and predict outcomes to real-world problems.
Mathematics is recognised as one of the most respected and challenging A levels and is therefore highly rated by university admissions tutor and employers. It can lead to careers in almost anything. Anything to do with the computer industry requires mathematics, and statistics is an area of the subject that is becoming increasingly important, for example in manipulating and analysing large databases.
What will you study?
Paper 1 & 2: Pure Mathematics 1 & 2
- Topic 1 – Proof
- Topic 2 – Algebra and functions
- Topic 3 – Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
- Topic 4 – Sequences and series
- Topic 5 – Trigonometry
- Topic 6 – Exponentials and logarithms
- Topic 7 – Differentiation
- Topic 8 – Integration
- Topic 9 – Numerical methods
- Topic 10 – Vectors
Assessment overview
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 may contain questions on any topics from the Pure Mathematics content.
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics
Section A: Statistics
- Topic 1 – Statistical sampling
- Topic 2 – Data presentation and interpretation
- Topic 3 – Probability
- Topic 4 – Statistical distributions
- Topic 5 – Statistical hypothesis testing
Section B: Mechanics
- Topic 6 – Quantities and units in mechanics
- Topic 7 – Kinematics
- Topic 9 – Forces and Newton’s laws
- Topic 10 – Moments
Assessment overview
- Paper 3 will contain questions on topics from the Statistics content in Section A and Mechanics content in Section B.
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Potential degree courses
A knowledge of mathematics is an advantage for many degree courses. Mathematics, sciences, medicine, engineering, psychology, economics and archaeology are all possible directions.
Specification details: Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)