From AMSP have a look at this great new magazine which is aimed at high-attaining Year 12 (UK age 16-17) students. You can read more about the magazine and freely access the first issue here.
You will find out more about where Maths can take you in the future, learn more about the applications process and what it is like to study maths at university.
Of course check the Do some maths! section. There is some great advice on problem solving and puzzles to try.
MEI’s Introduction to Data Science Short Course is now freely available from MEI; this is a self-study course aimed at A level Maths students and uses the large data sets for AQA, Edexcel, MEI and OCR.
The course uses the large data sets for all the examination boards, note also this very useful page from MEI on the large data sets. Not only are there links to all the large data sets but resources using Desmos, Excel and GeoGebra.
Check this playlist on YouTube of the MEI large data set videos.
Plus Magazine (University of Cambridge)
The Maths Careers site has sections for ages 11 through to adult.
For a list of recommended books for young people interested in Mathematics, try this list from Nrich which is grouped into three different categories: History of Mathematics, Recreational and Thinking Mathematically.
From Cambridge University this list of interesting mathematics books and internet sites is mainly intended for sixth-formers planning to take a degree in mathematics. The list includes some items which are suitable for less experienced readers so may well appeal to a wider audience. The list was last updated in September 2020. I see it includes Kevin Houston’s “How to Think Like a Mathematician, see also from Kevin Houston his page on the book which includes some solutions to problems in the book, also available are sample chapters on writing mathematics.
From Imperial College, their STEM book list has many recommendations in several categories including Mathematics. Imperial College says that the list is aimed at A Level students but is suitable for anyone looking to develop their STEM knowledge and have a great read.
See the Reference page also which includes a useful list of reference materials.
Currently free on Kindle:
If you have younger brothers and sisters, for Primary age children, these are all available as pdf files from White Rose Maths. The books are also available on Kindle.
If you like puzzles try Henry Ernest Dudeney’s – Amusements in Mathematics puzzle collection (with solutions). The first set of puzzles will offer a trip down memory lane for some of your parents who remember money – pre-decimal! There are several categories of puzzles available.
For notes and examples on polynomials, see the following resources:
From the mathcentre which has an extensive collection of very clear notes and other resources, the Algebra collection includes Polynomial Division.
Another reliable source is Tony Hobson’s Just the Maths (individual pdfs hosted by UEA) (or a complete pdf from the Math Centre: AJ Hobson’s ‘Just the Maths’) includes a document on Polynomials: Just the Maths Algebra(8) – Polynomials.
David Smith’s site ‘The Maths Teacher’ includes Algebraic Multiplication and Division under Algebra AS level.
In Paul’s Online Notes, Section 1-4 is on Polynomials; these start with a clear definition and include examples of polynomials and also expressions which are not polynomials .
Earlier I wrote about the excellent Helm Notes, this collection includes Solving Polynomial Equations which includes exercises with answers.
It is really useful to have a look at the graphical representation as well as the algebraic solution.
For example:
Show that x = −1 is a root of x3+11x2+31x+21 = 0 and locate the other roots algebraically. The graph on Desmos is here. You can check your algebraic solution, by looking at the graph.
One of the pages in the series on Calculators is on Polynomials where you will find the following resources.
Division of Polynomials from Mathisfun – a really clear explanation:
Note the exercise at the end so you can practice, fully worked answers are shown.
WolframAlpha can of course handle polynomials.
As we come to the end of an academic year and look to a new one, it will be a time of change for many students. Perhaps you have completed GCSEs or equivalent qualifications (UK age 15-16) and are about to start on your A Levels or perhaps you have completed those and are about to start studying Mathematics at university.
To be in a position to begin your new courses well you should be thoroughly familiar with the essentials of the work you have studied to date. At whichever level you are studying your Algebra should be at a standard where you can manipulate expressions with ease.
Some resources to help you prepare and will be useful reference material for you during your course…
For students going on to A Level then a really useful publication is use OCR’s brilliant guide for students Bridging the gap between GCSE and AS/A Level Mathematics – A Student Guide. With sections on Algebra, Trigonometry and graphs including examples, question practice on key topics and suggested reading before starting the A Level this is so valuable for students.
pdf format: bridging-the-gap-between-gcse-and-as-a-level-mathematics-a-student-guide
Dr Frost Maths is used by millions of students round the world. Amongst the extensive library of resources are videos for students age 8-18 explaining topics from scratch. There are longer Exam-topic videos, average length 10 minutes and shorter Key Skill videos which are about 2-4 minutes in length.
Free lessons from Colin Hegarty recorded on YouTube are available to help GCSE students prepare for A Level Maths.
These Transition Takeaways from Mohammed Ladak have been specifically chosen to help with A Level Maths preparation.
You could also look at Step Up to A Level Maths from The Centre of Innovation in Mathematics Teaching which helpfully lists skills you should be confident with and provides resources to support your study of these skills.
From AMSP – check Transition to A Level Mathematics – Essential Skills.
As you study your A level (16-18) course you may find some of the material in the section below useful.
For many challenging questions to really get you thinking, try the brilliant Underground Mathematics site.
Make sure you have some useful apps on your phone if you don’t have them already. Mathscard app from Loughborough university is free and a handy reference guide of mathematical facts and formulae. Every student should have the Desmos app (free) and you could also get the WolframAlpha app (low cost).
For older students, AJ Hobson’s Just the Maths (individual pdfs hosted by UEA) (or a complete pdf from the Math Centre: AJ Hobson’s ‘Just the Maths’) is very useful as is the excellent Math Centre site which includes extensive resources. The quick reference leaflets which are available on numerous topics are very clearly written and succinct, see these for example on the Product Rule and the Quotient Rule. There are also teach yourself booklets, revision booklets, videos and diagnostic tests. See also these very clear notes with exercises from Plymouth University. There are many free courses available from The Open University and MIT .
If you are preparing for university, then make sure your A Level knowledge is secure – perhaps check the Algebra Refresher from The Mathcentre which has many questions and the answers are at the end of the document. The Mathcentre has an extensive collection of helpful resources for students of Mathematics.
For a collection of forty mathematics activities bridging between A Level and University, try Carom Maths from Jonny Griffiths.
Check the List of Activities, how much do you know about Inequalities for example? For a complete PowerPoint with information and questions on Inequalities, choose Carom 1-2: Inequalities.
For older students, AJ Hobson’s Just the Maths (individual pdfs hosted by UEA) (or a complete pdf from the Math Centre: AJ Hobson’s ‘Just the Maths’) is very useful as is the excellent Math Centre site which includes extensive resources. The quick reference leaflets which are available on numerous topics are very clearly written and succinct, see these for example on the Product Rule and the Quotient Rule. There are also teach yourself booklets, revision booklets, videos and diagnostic tests. See also these very clear notes with exercises from Plymouth University. There are many free courses available from The Open University and MIT .
If you have not come across the HELM Project before, the project was designed to support the mathematical education of engineering students and includes an extensive collection of notes which include very clear worked examples. For easy access to these resources, the HELM Project Workbooks are hosted by Loughborough University’s Mathematics Learning Support Centre. Alternatively, the complete set is hosted by the Open University. To access the Open University resources you will need to create an account (easy and free), this will also give you access to the numerous free online courses.
If you are studying or about to study at university then have a look at Kevin Houston’s ‘How not to get a good mathematics degree‘ and ‘How to get a good mathematics degree‘. He also has provided a pdf file you can download: 10 Ways to Think Like a Mathematician. Kevin Houston works at the University of Leeds in the UK.
From Professor Stephen Chew of Samford university, this series of 5 videos looks at how to get the most out of studying (any subject, not just maths). Part 1 includes ‘beliefs that make you stupid’!
How to get the most out of studying (Part 1), Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
The Open University has several helpful publications for students of Mathematics. Many of these resources would be helpful for students still at school.
From John Kerl – see these excellent tips for mathematical handwriting.
For older students Peter Alfeld wrote this guide on Understanding Mathematics for his students at Utah University.
And finally – check the 11 Commandments of Mathematics!
Remember these ten eleven commandments for mathematicians!
Alternatively – a pdf file, the links can work faster from pdfs.
Also available as a poster: 11-commandments-mathematics
Wishing Mathematics students everywhere – whatever stage you are at a very successful next stage.
Chi Squared Calculator
From Social Science Statistics this Chi Squared Calculator is for a contingency table with up to 5 rows and columns. It is very simple to use, enter the group and category names, then the data, choose the significance level and calculate.
A clear conclusion is then given:
The chi-square statistic is 10.2061. The p-value is .037096.
The result is significant at p < .05.
To interpret the results remember to look at the observed data. the expected probabilities and the chi squared contributions.
One of the pages in the series on Calculators is on Polynomials where you will find the following resources.
Division of Polynomials from Mathisfun – a really clear explanation:
Note the exercise at the end so you can practice, fully worked answers are shown.
WolframAlpha can of course handle polynomials.
For further notes & examples on operations with polynomials, see the following resources:
From the mathcentre which has an extensive collection of very clear notes and other resources the Algebra collection includes Polynomial Division.
Another reliable source is Tony Hobson’s Just the Maths (individual pdfs hosted by UEA) (or a complete pdf from the Math Centre: AJ Hobson’s ‘Just the Maths’) includes a document with examples of Polynomial division: Just the Maths Algebra(8) – Polynomials.
Another source is David Smith’s site ‘The Maths Teacher’ which includes Algebraic Multiplication and Division under Algebra AS level.
Are you studying Mechanics?
Have a look at the latest excellent PhET simulation, Collision Lab.
| Click to Run |
It is World Book Day on Thursday, March 4th.
For a list of recommended books for young people interested in Mathematics, try this list from Nrich which is grouped into three different categories: History of Mathematics, Recreational and Thinking Mathematically. From Cambridge University this list of interesting mathematics books and internet sites is mainly intended for sixth-formers planning to take a degree in mathematics. The list includes some items which are suitable for less experienced readers so may well appeal to a wider audience. The list was last updated in September 2020. I see it includes Kevin Houston’s “How to Think Like a Mathematician, see also from Kevin Houston his page on the book which includes some solutions to problems in the book, also available are sample chapters on writing mathematics.
See also:
It seems appropriate to check some world records on books! Did you know that the first collection of crossword puzzles was published in the USA in 1924?
A post to clarify the requirements for the UK GCSE Mathematics specification.
For constructing triangles, have a look at these step by step instructions from BBC Bitesize.
The following demonstrations show how to use a straight edge and a pair of compasses to do standard constructions.
On Corbett Maths you will find clear demonstrations and also practice questions on constructions.
Look at this alphabetical list of contents, you will find several several items under Constructions. There are videos and also clearly worked answers to practice questions. Answers are all provided.
Note that all these Math Open Reference demonstrations are available as a printable atep by step instruction sheet, see for example the guide to bisecting an angle.
