Further Mathematics Important questions What is A level Further - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Further Mathematics

Important questions  What is A level Further Mathematics?  What Maths GCSE grade is required to study Further Mathematics?  Why should my daughter/son study A level Further Mathematics?  What support is available?  What are the career opportunities with A level Further Mathematics?  Is A level Further Mathematics needed for entry to university degree courses?

What is Further Mathematics?  Further Mathematics is an additional A level qualification taken alongside A level Mathematics.  It is designed to stretch and challenge able mathematicians introducing new techniques and concepts such as complex numbers and matrices.  It is excellent preparation for degree courses in Mathematics and other mathematical subjects.

What is covered in Further Mathematics?

What is covered in Further Mathematics?

What pure maths is covered in Further Mathematics? Two examples of important Further pure topics are complex numbers and matrices. Matrices are arrays of numbers such as 1 0 2 . They can be used to solve 0 sets of simultaneous equations and to represent transformations such as the shear shown in the diagram below. Complex numbers are based on the ‘imaginary’ number −1 . They lead to the study of lots of new areas of mathematics, including fractals like those shown in the image above.

What pure maths is covered in Further Mathematics?

What is Statistics? Reaching conclusions from data and calculating the chance of an event occurring Actuaries study statistical information to calculate the risk of a driver of a certain age having a car accident or the risk of flood. This information would be used by insurers in establishing the cost of the annual premiums.

What Statistics is covered in Further Mathematics?

What is Discrete/Decision Mathematics? One area of discrete mathematics is graph theory, which includes solving problems such as: What would be the most efficient route for delivering post around this network of streets? This topic uses algorithms vital in computer science. (Image taken from http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/FSMA%20Chinese%20postman%20problems%20student.pdf)

What Decision is covered in Further Mathematics?

What Maths GCSE grade is required to study Further Mathematics?  Grade 7 or above

Why study A level Further Mathematics? Studying Further Mathematics will:  provide a stimulating and challenging course;  develop key employability skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, communication and resilience;  increase knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques and their applications;  support the study of other A level subjects;  provide excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses;  lead to a versatile qualification that is well-respected by employers and higher education.

Why study A level Further Mathematics? Students taking Further Mathematics overwhelmingly find it to be an enjoyable, rewarding, stimulating and empowering experience. It is a challenging qualification, which both extends and deepens your knowledge and understanding beyond the standard A level Mathematics. Students who do it often say it is their favourite subject.

Why study A level Further Mathematics? For someone who enjoys mathematics, it provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and/or more sophisticated mathematical concepts. As well as new learning new areas of pure mathematics you will study further applications of mathematics in mechanics, statistics and decision mathematics.

Why study A level Further Mathematics? Students who take Further Mathematics find that the additional time spent studying mathematics boosts their marks in single A level Mathematics. Any student capable of passing an AS/A level in Mathematics should also be able to pass AS Further Mathematics. Studying Further Mathematics consolidates and reinforces your standard A level Mathematics work, helping you to achieve your best possible grades.

Why study A level Further Mathematics? It makes the transition from sixth form to university courses which are mathematically rich that much easier as more of the first year course content will be familiar. If you are planning to take a degree such as Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Finance/Economics, etc., or perhaps Mathematics itself, you will benefit enormously from taking Further Mathematics. Further Mathematics introduces new topics such as matrices and complex numbers that are vital in many STEM degrees. Students who have studied Further Mathematics find the transition to such degrees far more straightforward.

Why study A level Further Mathematics? It enables students to distinguish themselves as able mathematicians in their applications for university and future employment. Further Mathematics qualifications are highly regarded and are warmly welcomed by universities. Students who take Further Mathematics are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies, as well as learning mathematics that is very useful for any mathematically rich degree. Some prestigious university courses require you to have a Further Mathematics qualification and others may adjust their grade requirements more favourably to students with Further Mathematics.

What support is available? Access to an electronic textbook  https://www.activeteachonline.com/product Access to  http://www.mathsnetalevel.com/index.php and http://www.mymaths.co.uk/ for online help Drop in/revision sessions once a week to enhance  and aid understanding

A typical Year 12 student…

What are the career opportunities?

Is A level Further Mathematics needed for entry to university degree courses?

University entry requirements  Look at the entry requirements on the individual university’s website for the degree subjects that your son/daughter might be interested in.  In some cases a qualification in Further Mathematics will reduce the grades required for entry to a degree course in a related subject.  Look at www.ucas.ac.uk for additional information.

Exemplar Entry Requirements Typical offers are:  AAA or A*AB  AAB or A*BB , including Further Mathematics A-level In all cases, the first grade quoted is the Mathematics A- level. Leeds University (Mathematics degree), 2019 entry

Exemplar Entry Requirements  A*A*A (A* in Mathematics), plus STEP.  Many colleges also require Further Mathematics.  For 2019 entry A level Further Mathematics will be required by all colleges. Cambridge University (Mathematics degree)

My son/daughter loves mathematics – how can they be stretched?  Take Further Mathematics  Participate in the Senior Maths Challenges in the Autumn term  Study for additional qualifications in mathematics such as AEA, STEP or MAT, which are required for entrance to some leading universities to study mathematics.

Other sources of information  Your maths teacher  FMSP website www.furthermaths.org.uk  Maths Careers website www.mathscareers.org.uk  Future Morph careers website www.futuremorph.org  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) www.ucas.com  Best course 4 me www.bestcourse4me.com  Tomorrow’s Engineers www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk  The Institute of Physics (IOP) www.iop.org

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