AS in Mathematics 8MA0

AS in Mathematics 8MA0 Course Content

This course is the new format of Edexcel AS Level. The method of course delivery varies slightly. In the first and second units of study, students will cover Pure Mathematics. Units 3 and Unit 4 will cover two sections (A and B), and cover Statistics and Mechanics

Unit 1: Pure Mathematics Part A

Topic 1 – Proof

• understanding the structure of mathematical proof
• proof by deduction,
• proof by exhaustion and disproof by deduction.

Topic 2 – Algebra and functions

• understanding the laws of indices for all rational exponents
• rationalising the denominator
• working with quadratic functions
• solving simultaneous equations and using graphical information to solve equations

Topic 3 – Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane

• understanding the equation of a straight line
• applying the use of coordinate geometry and understanding the use of parametric equations in modelling in a variety of contexts.

Topic 4 – Sequences and series

• understanding the use of Pascal’s triangle,
• working with sequences (including increasing, decreasing and periodic sequences)
• understanding sigma notation for sums of series.

Topic 5 – Trigonometry

• understanding the definitions of sine
• cosine and tangent
• solving trigonometric equations
• using trigonometric functions to solve problems in context

Unit 2: Pure Mathematics Part B

Topic 6 – Exponentials and logarithms

• knowing and using functions and graphs that relate to exponentials and logarithms
• understanding the laws of logarithms and understanding exponential growth and decay
• consideration of limitations and refinements of exponential models

Topic 7 – Differentiation

• understanding sketching the gradient function for a given curve
• second derivatives
• the use of second derivative as the rate of change of a gradient
• understanding how to apply differentiation to find gradients, tangents and normals

Topic 8 – Integration

• nowing the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
• understanding and evaluating definite integrals
• carrying out simple cases of integration by substitution and integration by parts and interpreting the solution of differential equation in the context of solving a problem

Topic 9 – Vectors

• using vectors in two dimensions
• calculating the magnitude and direction of a vector
• adding vectors diagrammatically
• understanding and using position vectors
• using vectors to solve problems in pure mathematics and context

Unit 3: Section A: Statistics

Topic 1 – Statistical sampling

• understanding and using the terms ‘population’ and ‘sample’
• understanding and using sampling techniques and applying sampling techniques in the context of solving a statistical problem

Topic 2 – Data presentation and interpretation

• interpreting diagrams for single-variable data
• interpreting scatter diagrams and regression lines for bivariate data
• plus recognising and interpreting possible outliers in data sets and statistical diagrams

Topic 3 – Probability

• understanding mutually exclusive and independent events when calculating probabilities
• understanding conditional probability and modelling with probability
• including critiquing assumptions made.

Topic 4 – Statistical distributions

• understanding and using simple
• discrete probability distributions
• calculating probabilities using binomial distribution
• understanding the use of Normal distribution as a model and selecting an appropriate probability distribution for a context

Topic 5 – Statistical hypothesis testing

• understanding and applying the language of statistical hypothesis testing,
• conducting statistical hypothesis test using binomial distribution and understanding a sample being used to make an inference about the population

Section B: Mechanics

Unit 4: Section B: Mechanics

Topic 1 – Quantities and units in mechanics

• understanding and using fundamental quantities and units in the S.I. system
• understanding and using derived quantities and units.

Topic 2 – Kinematics

• understanding and using the language of kinematics
• interpreting graphs in kinematics for motion in a straight line
• understanding how to derive the formulae for constant acceleration for motion in a straight line and using calculus in kinematics for motion in a straight line

Topic 3 – Forces and Newton’s laws

• understanding the concept of a force
• applying and using Newton’s second law for motion in a straight line
• understanding using weight and motion in a straight line under gravity and applying Newton’s third law

Assessment

Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics (*Paper code: 8MA0/01)

Includes Topic from Units 1 and 2
2-hour written examination
62.5% of the qualification
100 marks

Paper 2 –  Statistics and Mechanics (*Paper code: 8MA0/02)

Includes topics from Unit 3 and Unit 4 (Section A and Section B)
1 hour 15 minutes’ written examination
37.5% of the qualification
60 marks