Mathematics (AQA) GCSE Linear Foundation Course

The majority of employers look for at least GCSE grade 4/C in maths so achieving this qualification could be the difference between you getting the job or promotion you want or not. People with good GCSE grades in maths also earn approximately £2,000 more than those who don’t. Maths is one of the best subjects to develop your analytical, research and problem-solving skills. Not only will studying maths help give you the knowledge to tackle scientific, mechanical, coding and abstract problems, it will also help you develop logic to tackle everyday issues like planning projects, managing budgets and even debating effectively.

Number (25%):
• Working with numbers and the number system
• Fraction, decimals and percentages
• Factors, multiples, LCM, HCF, product of prime factors
• Types of numbers - square, cube, powers and roots
• Recognise powers of 2, 3, 4 and 5
• Standard form
• Mass, length, time, money and compound measures
• Significant figures and decimal places Algebra (20%):
• Algebraic notation – product, sum, powers, fractions, brackets
• Simplifying expressions, substitution, rearrange formulae
• Equations, identities, expressions
• Function machines
• Coordinates, straight line graphs, quadratic graphs, reciprocal graphs
• Recognise kinematic problems
• Solving linear equations, solve quadratics by factorising
• Solve linear simultaneous equations, solve linear inequalities
• Represent inequalities on a number line
• Sequences, linear nth terms Ratio, proportion and rates of change (15%):
• Conversion, scale diagrams and maps
• One quantity as a fraction of another
• Express ratio in simplest form, direct and inverse proportions
• Percentages
• Compound measures Geometry and Measures (15%):
• Notation
• Types of angles, triangles
• Quadrilaterals
• Congruence criteria
• Construction – SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS & fractional scale
• Circumference of a circle, area of a circle, circle properties
• Volumes
• Plans and elevations
• Bearings
• Surface area and volume of spheres, pyramids and cones, frustum
• Arc length and area of a sector
• Pythagoras’ Theorem
• Trigonometry, exact values
• Vectors Probability (combined with statistics 15%):
• Single events, mutually exclusive events, independent events
• Tree diagrams Statistics (combined with probability 15%):
• The Data Handing Cycle
• Data collection
• Data presentation and analysis Functional elements (in context problem type questions) are embedded in the specification.