United Kingdom Year 12 School Syllabus - Mathematics

This syllabus outlines the topics covered in a typical Year 12 Mathematics course in the United Kingdom, often as part of the AS level or the first year of A-Level studies. The course is generally divided into three main branches: Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics.

Pure Mathematics

Pure Mathematics forms the largest part of the Year 12 syllabus, comprising approximately two-thirds of the curriculum. Topics covered include:

• Algebra: This includes algebraic expressions, quadratics, equations, and inequalities.
• Functions and Graphs: Students study linear functions, graphs and transformations, including domain, range, inverse functions, composite functions, and modulus functions.
• Trigonometry: This includes radians, trigonometric identities, and inverse trigonometric functions.
• Exponents and Logarithms:
• Binomial Theorem:
• Vectors:
• Calculus (Differentiation and Integration): This may be introduced in Year 12 depending on the specific syllabus.
• Other Topics: Additional topics may include surds and indices, quadratic functions, and polynomial equations and inequalities.

Statistics

Statistics makes up about one-sixth of the Year 12 Maths syllabus. Key topics include:

• Data Representation and Interpretation: This includes histograms, cumulative frequency, averages, measures of dispersion, and box and whisker diagrams.
• Probability:
• Statistical Distributions: This may include an introduction to discrete random variables, expectation, and variance.

Mechanics

Mechanics also comprises roughly one-sixth of the Year 12 Maths syllabus. Topics covered include:

• Kinematics: This involves the study of motion, including displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Forces and Newton's Laws: Students learn about different types of forces and how they affect motion.
• Vectors in Mechanics: Vectors are applied to represent and analyze forces and displacements.

Specific exam boards, such as Edexcel, AQA, and OCR, publish detailed syllabuses outlining the precise content and assessment objectives for their A Level Mathematics qualifications. Students should consult the syllabus of their specific exam board for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Additional resources, including past papers, mark schemes, and textbooks, can be found on websites such as Physics and Maths Tutor (PMT) and various other online platforms.