Alphabetical Listing of Topics

Binomial Theorem Complex Numbers Differentiation Differential Equations Functions Gaussian Elimination Integration Matrices Number Theory Partial Fractions Proof Sequences and Series Vectors

Course Overview

The course is based on : Calculus, Algebra, proof and number theory, Matrices, vectors and complex numbers
An external SQA exam is sat at the end of the course, with calculator and non-calculator papers.


Prerequisite Knowledge

You must have a good grasp of the following :

  • Differentiation.
  • Integration.
  • Manipulating Vectors.
  • Algebraic manipulation.

Algebra, Proof & Number Theory

Decomposing a rational function into a sum of partial fractions (denominator of degree at most three)
Finding the asymptotes to the graphs of rational functions
Investigating features of graphs and sketching graphs of functions
Expanding expressions using the binomial theorem
Finding the general term and summing arithmetic and geometric progressions
Applying summation formulae
Using the Maclaurin expansion to find specified terms of the power series for simple functions
Disproving a conjecture by providing a counterexample
Using indirect or direct proof in straightforward examples
Using proof by induction
Using Euclid’s algorithm to find the greatest common divisor of two positive integers

Calculus

Differentiation

Differentiating exponential and natural logarithmic functions
Differentiating functions using the chain rule
Differentiating functions given in the form of a product and in the form of a quotient
Finding the derivative where relationships are defined implicitly
Finding the derivative where relationships are defined parametrically
Applying differentiation to problems in context

Integration

Integrating expressions using standard results
Integrating by substitution
Integrating by parts
Applying integration to problems in context

Differential Equations

Solving first-order differential equations with variables separable
Solving first-order linear differential equations using an integrating factor
Solving second-order differential equations
Applying integration to problems in context

Matrices,vectors and complex numbers

Using Gaussian elimination to solve a 3x3 system of linear equations
Understanding and using matrix algebra
Calculating the determinant of a matrix
Finding the inverse of a matrix
Using transformation matrices
Calculating a vector product
Working with lines in three dimensions
Working with planes
Performing algebraic operations on complex numbers
Performing geometric operations on complex numbers


Algebra, Proof & Number Theory

Binomial Theorem

Key subskills:
Expand expressions using the binomial theorem.

Apps 1.1 Applying algebraic skills to the binomial theorem and to complex numbers.
Unit 1 LO1 Use algebraic skills

Functions

Key subskills:
Finding the asymptotes of rational functions.
Investigating features of graphs and sketching graphs of functions, including appropriate analysis of stationary points.

Apps 1.4 Applying algebraic and calculus skills to properties of functions.
Unit 1 LO4Use properties of functions.

Number Theory

Key subskills:
Using Euclid’s algorithm to find the greatest common divisor of two positive integers.

GPS 1.4Applying algebraic skills to number theory.
Unit 3 LO5 Use further number theory and direct methods of proof.

Partial Fractions

Key subskills:
Expressing proper rational functions as a sum of partial fractions.

MAC 1.1 Applying algebraic skills to partial fractions
Unit 1 LO 1Use algebraic skills.

Proof

Key subskills:
Disproving a conjecture by providing a counter-example.
Using direct and indirect proof in straightforward examples.

GPS 1.5Applying algebraic and geometric skills to methods of proof.
Apps 1.3 Applying algebraic skills to summation and mathematical proof .
Unit 2 LO5 Use standard methods to prove results in elementary number theory.

Sequences and Series

Key subskills :
Finding the general term and summing arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Using the Maclaurin series expansion to find a stated number of terms of the power series for a simple function.

Power Series

Application of summation formulae

Apps 1.2 Applying algebraic skills to sequences and series.
Apps 1.3 Applying algebraic skills to summation and mathematical proof .
Unit 2 LO4 Understand and use sequences and series.
Unit 3 LO3 Understand and use further aspects of sequences and series.


Calculus

Differentiation

Key subskills:
Differentiating functions given in the form of a product and in the form of a quotient.
Differentiating exponential and logarithmic functions.
Differentiating inverse trigonometric functions.
Finding the derivative of functions defined implicitly.
Finding the derivative of functions defined parametrically.

First Principles

Differentiation Refresher

Rules

Parametric Differentiation

MAC 1.2 Applying calculus skills through techniques of differentiation.
Unit 1 LO2Use the rules of differentiation on elementary functions.
Unit 2 LO1Use matrix methods to solve systems of linear equations.

Integration

Key subskills:
Integrating expressions using standard results.
Integrating by substitution.
Integrating by parts.

MAC 1.3 Applying calculus skills through techniques of integration.

Unit 1 LO3 -Integrate using standard results and the substitution metho .
Unit 2 LO2Use further integration techniques.

Differential Equations

Key subskills:
Solving a first order differential equation with variables separable.
Solving a first order linear differential equation using the integrating factor.
Solving second order differential equations.
Applying differentiation to problems, in context where appropriate.
Applying integration to problems, in context where appropriate.

Applications of Calculus

MAC 1.4    Applying calculus skills to solving differential equations.
Apps 1.5    Applying algebraic and calculus skills to problems.
Unit 3 LO4 Solve further ordinary differential equations .


Matrices, vectors and complex numbers

Complex Numbers

Key subskills:
Performing geometric operations on complex numbers .

GPS 1.3 Applying geometric skills to complex numbers.
Apps 1.1 Applying algebraic skills to the binomial theorem and to complex numbers.
Unit 2 LO3 Understand and use complex numbers .

Matrices

Key subskills:
Using Gaussian elimination to solve a 3x3 system of linear equations.
Performing matrix operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication.
Calculating the determinant of a matrix.
Finding the inverse of a matrix.

Gaussian Elimination

GPS 1.1 Applying algebraic skills to matrices and systems of equations.
Unit 1 LO5 Use matrix methods to solve systems of linear equations.
Unit 3 LO2Use matrix algebra.

Vectors

Key subskills:
Calculating a vector product.
Finding the equation of a line in three dimensions.
Finding the equation of a plane.

GPS 1.2 Applying algebraic and geometric skills to vectors.
Unit 3 LO1 Use vectors in three dimensions.


Check List


© Alexander Forrest