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MATHEMATICS

Math Formulas and a Calculator

Staff Members

  • A. Harvey – Acting Principal Teacher of Maths

  • E. McCaughey – Teacher of Maths

  • K. Wilson – Teacher of Maths 

  • C. Stewart – Teacher of Maths

  • K. Armstrong – Teacher of Maths

  • J. Lawson – Teacher of Maths

  • L. Orr – Teacher of Maths

  • D. Bruce – Teacher of Maths

  • L. McWilliam – Probationer Teacher of Maths 

Introduction

Maths and numeracy are important aspects of our everyday life, they allow us to make sense of the world around us and enable us to manage our lives. Using maths allows us to model real-life situations and equips us with the skills that we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions.

 

During maths learners will develop skills in logical reasoning, analysis, problem solving skills, creativity, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Maths plays an important role in areas such as science or technologies, and is vital to research and development in an ever-expanding number of fields. Learning mathematics gives children and young people access to the wider curriculum and opportunity to pursue further studies and interest.

 

We use numeracy every day in all areas of our lives. Our confidence and ability with numbers affects us financially, socially, and professionally. It even affects our health and wellbeing. Being numerate is an essential life-long skill that supports all areas of learning and provides young people with access to the wider curriculum.

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Careers

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Maths gives young people the opportunity to pursue careers in many different fields, such as:

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  • Engineering – e.g chemical, structural, civil, aeronautical

  • Medicine – nursing, doctor, vet medicine, pharmacist, pharmacologist

  • Scientific research

  • Teaching – school or further education

  • Finance – banking, actuary, accountant, data analyst, tax associate

  • Armed Forces

  • Trade – electrician, plumber, joiner, builder, mechanic

  • Aerospace

  • Pilot, air traffic control

  • Architecture

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Further careers information: Home - Maths Careers

S1-3 Maths

BGE maths builds on the skills gained in Primary. Both Maths and Numeracy outcomes are covered in S1/2, some topics of study include:

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  • Number and number processes

  • Algebra

  • Statistics

  • Finance

  • Geometry

National 4 Maths

The N4 Maths course builds on the experiences and outcomes of the BGE Maths and Numeracy course. The course aims to motivate and challenge learners by enabling them to select and apply straightforward mathematical skills in a variety of mathematical and real-life situations. The course also aims to develop the learner’s skills in using mathematical language, to explore straightforward mathematical ideas, and develop skills relevant to learning, life and work in an engaging and enjoyable way. N4 Maths is comprised of:

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  • Numeracy

  • Expressions and Formulae

  • Relationships

  • Added Value Unit

National 5 Maths

National 5 builds on the key concepts and skills covered during the BGE course or during National 4.

Throughout this course, candidates acquire and apply operational skills necessary for developing mathematical ideas through symbolic representation and diagrams. Candidates develop mathematical reasoning skills and gain experience in making informed decisions. This course is suitable for learners who with to develop mathematical techniques for use in further study of mathematics.

National 5 Applications of Maths

The purpose of the N5 Apps course is to motivate and challenge candidates by enabling them to think through real-life situations involving Mathematics and form a plan of action based on logic. The mathematical skills within this course are underpinned by numeracy, and are designed to develop candidates’ mathematical reasoning skills in areas relevant to learning, life and work.

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Both National 5 courses are assessed by an end of year exam. The main difference between the courses is that Applications contains no algebra and is made up of interpretation-based questions. Many college/university courses accept N5 Apps as an alternative to N5 Maths but it is worth checking entry requirements – particularly in the case of STEM based subjects.

Higher Maths

The Higher Maths course builds on the knowledge and key concepts covered during National 5 Maths. The course deepens and extends the mathematical ideas covered at National 5. The new concepts covered at Higher include:

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  • Relationships and Calculus

  • Applications of Calculus

  • Exponentials, logarithms and recurrence relations.

Advanced Higher Maths

The Advanced Higher course builds on the knowledge and key concepts covered throughout the Higher course. Some new concepts covered at Advanced Higher include:

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  • Proof

  • New trig functions

  • Matrices

  • Complex numbers

Personal Finance

Personal finance develops the knowledge and skills required to confidently and effectively cope with the types of financial matters individuals are likely to encounter in adult life. The course covers a range of topics including:

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  • Calculating and comparing costs

  • Household budgeting

  • Different forms of borrowing

  • Tax and National Insurance

  • Credit cards

  • Bank accounts

  • Exchange rates

  • Interest and inflation rates

Pathways

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Useful Links

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