Mathematical Studies

Course summary

The course can be broken down into 4 areas and lasts for 1 year: Applications of Statistics - this takes all the statistics content from Higher GCSE maths including, box plots, cumulative frequency tables and graphs and histograms along with quartiles and interquartile range, and adds new statistical analysis skills including, moving averages, variance and standard deviation, knowledge of independent and dependent variables, product moment correlation coefficient, linear regression and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. All of which are used for everyday analysis of any data. Probability - this takes all of the Higher GCSE content, including conditional probability, and teaches students how to use probability to work out risk vs reward. Linear programming - this builds on a pupil’s understanding of graphs, equations of a straight line, solving equations, and inequalities. It then takes it and applies them to solving 2 variable programs allowing pupils to work out the best way to maximise profit from those 2 variables. Sequences and Growth - this builds on a pupil’s understanding of percentages, percentage growth/decay and sequences. This leads into interest rates on loans, depreciation of purchases, golden ratio and can then be used in the context of growing their own workforce or business.