“The relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the college helped me to settle in very quickly. The subject tutors are approachable and are always available to support you with work. There is also a wide range of opportunities to enhance your university application.”
Martin Man, 18

Further Mathematics

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Entry Requirements

Ideally students should have a grade A or A* at GCSE Maths and have a strong enthusiasm for the subject. 

About the Subject

Further Mathematics takes concepts studied at AS level and examines them further. Additionally, new topics are introduced that increase the breadth of students’ knowledge as well as the depth.

Students aiming for degrees where competition is stronger, or for mathematics degrees, are encouraged to enrol for this course. The level of commitment and independent study required is high.

You can read more about Mathematics on the Mathematics subject leaflet.

AS Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of
Exam		 Weighting
M1 Mechanics 1 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)		 Jan
33 ⅓ %
M2 Mechanics 2 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)		 Jun  33 ⅓ %
FP1 Further Pure 1 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)		 Jun  33 ⅓ %

 

A2 Year

 

Assessment Unit Name Type of
Assessment
 Date of Exam Weighting in A2
D2 Decision 2 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)		 Jan  33 ⅓ %
S2 Statistics 2 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)
 		 Jun  33 ⅓ %
FP2
Further Pure 2
 		 Written Exam
(1.5 hours)
 		 Jun  33 ⅓ %

 

General Information

Further Pure 1 (FP1) and Further Pure 2 (FP2)

The Further Pure modules pick up from the core modules in AS and A2 Mathematics, focussing more deeply on algebraic techniques. They explore new worlds such as complex numbers, matrices, conic sections and hyperbolic functions


Mechanics 1 (M1) and Mechanic 2 (M2)
The mechanics course demonstrates applications of Core Maths to the solution of problems involving aspects of moving and stationary objects such as skydivers, skiers and parked cars on steep hills!  Mechanics 1 is heavily centred around Newton’s famous laws of motion, and Physics students will see much they recognise. Mechanics 2 explore the topics in Mechanics1 further, where problems now include variable acceleration.

Statistics 2 (S2)
Here concepts in probability met in S1 are developed into workable and widely used models of real world behaviour. More sophisticated models are examined and their appropriateness is tested using the Chi Squared distribution.

Decision 2 (D2)
Decision 2 looks at problem solving techniques such as Critical Path Analysis (minimising the time to complete a project), Linear Programming, Network Flows and Game Theory (optimal strategies for winning, losing or playing safe!)

 

What Next?

Further Mathematics puts you in a stronger position with regard to university or job applications and familiarises you with concepts met in later study on mathematical related courses. For further information, you can read more about the doors that Mathematics opens up on the Mathematics subject leaflet .