MATHEMATICS AND FURTHER MATHEMATICS

Why is 153 the favourite 3-digit number of our Principal, Mr Wilne? One reason is because 1 cubed + 5 cubed + 3 cubed = 153. Are there any other 3-digit numbers that have this property? How would you find another example? Could you find all the examples? How would you be sure you had found them all? If you’re now also a fan of 153, and if these questions have got you thinking, you’ll love being an LMaStudent.

At LMaS, everyone studies A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. This gives us the unique opportunity to deliver the two curriculums simultaneously. Integrating the two curriculums enhances your understanding by showing you that, how and why different topics interconnect. It also develops your confidence to think critically and explore mathematical concepts from various perspectives.

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Our interwoven approach makes Further Mathematics accessible to all our students. How we sequence and structure the course supports you as you build your knowledge, skills and understanding across a wide and diverse spread of mathematical concepts and topics. You will have the confidence to engage in and enjoy mathematical interactions with your peers, your teachers, and with representatives from our university and employer partners.

There are many super-curricular mathematical opportunities for you, including

  • UKMT Mathematics Challenges
  • Mathematical Olympiad for Girls
  • British Mathematical Olympiad
  • Preparation for university entrance assessments (e.g. STEP, TMUA, MAT)
  • University lectures
  • University visits.
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Double the maths, double the opportunities

Studying Mathematics and Further Mathematics opens the door to a very wide range of future opportunities. In every career field, from actuarial consultancy to zoological modelling, via aerospace engineering, accountancy, biochemistry, teaching, oceanography, climate science, advertising and marketing, engineering, physics, international finance, government, medicine, computer science, games design, cinema special effects, habitat conservation, big data, quantum computing and many more, mathematicians are always being employed with generous salaries. Why? Because studying mathematics makes you a very good problem solver, and in all career fields there are many problems that need solving. When the NHS wants to plan how to provide high quality social care for an ageing population, it employs mathematicians. When governments of the world come together to try to limit the effects of climate change, they ask mathematicians for their recommendations. When architects ask how they can reduce concrete and steel and use sustainable materials instead, mathematicians have answers for them. Studying as much mathematics as you can now will enable you to choose future careers in which you can do good for society and also do well for yourself.

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Exam board

In Year 12 you study Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics, the core components of A Level Mathematics. In Year 13 you continue to study Pure Mathematics, and also, based on your individual strengths and career aspirations, you choose two optional modules from

  • Further Statistics 1
  • Further Mechanics 1
  • Decision 1
  • Further Pure 1

In addition to your A Level lessons, in Year 12 you participate in weekly one-hour Advanced Mathematical Problem-Solving lessons: AMPS. In these lessons you extend your current knowledge into new and exciting contexts beyond the A Level specifications. You develop the skill of communicating mathematical reasoning rigorously, systematically and convincingly: a skill that employers are always looking for. The AMPS lessons begin your preparation for successful application to studying mathematics at the most competitive universities, nationally and globally, right from the very start of Year 12.

Key topics

A Level Mathematics
1. Proof
2. Algebra and Functions
3. Coordinate Geometry
4. Sequences and Series
5. Trigonometry
6. Exponentials and Logarithms
7. Differentiation
8. Integration
9. Numerical methods
10. Vectors
11. Sampling
12. Data presentation and interpretation
13. Probability
14. Statistical distributions
15. Hypothesis testing
16. Quantities and units in Mechanics
17. Kinematics
18. Forces and Newton’s laws
19. Moments
1. Proof
2. Complex numbers
3. Matrices
4. Further algebra & Functions
5. Further calculus
6. Further vectors
7. Polar coordinates
8. Hyperbolic functions
9. Differential equations

You also take two options of the following:
1. Further Pure Mathematics 1
2. Further Statistics 1
3. Further Mechanics 1
4. Decision Mathematics 1

Assessment

A Level Mathematics

  • Paper 1: Pure Maths, 100 marks, 2-hour exam
  • Paper 2: Pure Maths, 100 marks, 2-hour exam
  • Paper 3: Applied Maths, 100 marks, 2-hour exam (Mechanics and Statistics, 50 marks each)

A Level Further Mathematics

  • Paper 1: Core Pure Maths, 75 marks, 90 minute exam
  • Paper 2: Core Pure Maths, 75 marks, 90 minute exam
  • Paper 3: Further Mathematics Option 1, 75 marks, 90 minute exam
  • Paper 4: Further Mathematics Option 2, 75 marks, 90 minute exam