Why Study Mathematics?
Why might anyone support mathematics and wave its flag? First, because mathematics is demonstrably useful: one cannot find the price of a financial derivative, understand quantum mechanics or plot the position of a star without it. Secondly, the study of mathematics is, inter alia, an introduction to the apparatus of argument: anyone can profit from learning about premises, conclusions, necessary and sufficient conditions, the law of the excluded middle and entailment. Thirdly, because it has intrinsic value: solving puzzles and problems is satisfying, and mathematics is full of them. In sum, mathematics is not the preserve of the mathematician alone: the list of its advocates is long, catholic and illustrious, and you would do well to add yourself to it.
Mathematics A Level Course Content At A Glance
| Paper 1. Pure Mathematics [9MAO/01] |
Paper 2. Pure Mathematics [9MAO/02] |
1. Proof.
2. Algebra & functions.
3. Coordinate geometry in the x-y plane.
4. Sequences & series.
5. Trigonometry.
6. Exponentials & logarithms.
7. Differentiation.
8. Integration.
9. Numerical methods.
10. Vectors. |
1. Proof.
2. Algebra & functions.
3. Coordinate geometry in the x-y plane.
4. Sequences & series.
5. Trigonometry.
6. Exponentials & logarithms.
7. Differentiation.
8. Integration.
9. Numerical methods.
10. Vectors. |
| Paper 3, section A. Statistics [9MAO/03] |
Paper 3, section B. Mechanics [9MAO/03] |
1. Statistical sampling.
2. Data presentation and interpretation.
3. Probability.
4. Statistical distributions.
5. Statistical hypothesis testing. |
6. Quantities and units in mechanics.
7. Kinematics.
8. Forces and Newton’s laws.
9. Moments. |
Assessment
Paper 1: Questions may be set on any of the ten topics listed previously. The maximum mark obtainable is 100 and the duration of the examination is 2 hours.
Paper 2: Just as for paper 1, questions may be set on any of the ten listed topics. The maximum mark obtainable is 100, and the examination is again in the form of a 2 hour written paper.
Paper 3: The third paper is divided into two sections A and B. The former consists of questions on statistics and the latter questions on mechanics. All questions should be attempted. The maximum mark obtainable is 100 and the duration of the examination is 2 hours.
Academic Skills
Problem-solving, reasoning, dealing with abstraction.
Course Text Book
Series: Edexcel AS/A-level mathematics
Title: Pure Mathematics Year 1
ISBN: 9781292183398
Title: Pure Mathematics Year 2
ISBN: 9781292183404
Title: Statistics & Mechanics Year 1
ISBN: 9781292232539
Title: Statistics & Mechanics Year 2
ISBN: 9781446944073
Recommended Reading
How To Think Like A Mathematician by K. Houston, C. U. P.
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