A Level Mathematics

A Level Further Mathematics

Transition Booklet

Name:

Bridging the gap to A Level!

Introduction

You will be starting an A-Level Maths course in September, and it is important that you are

ready for the step up. The best way to prepare yourself is to make sure you have a firm grasp

of the knowledge and skills you have already developed at GCSE level.

Many areas of A-Level Mathematics require the confident use of algebraic and numerical

concepts. Our experience has taught us that without such confidence, many students will

struggle and perhaps not make the progress that they should.

This set of resources is designed to help you check if you are up to speed and to help you fill

in any gaps. If you do this you will put yourself in a good position to start the A-Level Maths

course in September.

At the back of this booklet you will find some exercises that need to be completed before

September.

All sections should be attempted.

The work is to be completed and handed in during your first Maths lesson

You will have a transition test during the second week of term which will your

understanding of these topics.

Skills you need

Below is the list of the skills you should be confident with before starting the A-Level Maths

course:

Basic Algebra (non-calculator)

simplifying algebraic expressions by collecting like terms

general laws of indices

expanding and factorising expressions (one term outside)

laws of indices for all rational exponents (positive, negative, fractions)

using and manipulating surds

rationalising the denominator of a fraction when it is a surd

Quadratic Functions (non-calculator)

plotting graphs of quadratic functions

expanding and factorising quadratics (two brackets)

solving quadratic equations by factorising

solving quadratic equations using the formula

solving quadratic equations by completing the square

Simultaneous Equations (non-calculator)

solving simultaneous linear equations by elimination

solving simultaneous linear equations by substitution

These are all GCSE topics so there is nothing here which you have not already covered

Practical Information

You will be provided with an exercise book but you will also need an A4 file, some paper

and dividers.

Please ensure that all work in your file is kept in a logical, presentable way with all

assessments and objective sheets in the correct place.

Technology is expected to be used throughout the course and we will recommend a calculator

for this, once the transition test has been completed.

Content of the course

A Level Mathematics

Pure Maths

Mechanics

Statistics

A Level Further Mathematics

Further Pure Maths

Further Statistics

Decision Maths

Useful Websites

NRich

http://nrich.maths.org/secondary-upper

Mathwire

http://mathwire.com/archives/enrichment.html

The History of Maths

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mathematics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-8IPVKLIo

Decision Maths Videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7FCC5C72E63825D

The joy of Stats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo