# Year 12 Regular Problem Solving Classes

Online

## Overview

A series of maths problem-solving sessions designed to give students the confidence to apply for university courses that require or take into consideration achievement in an admissions test.

These regular classes offer students the opportunity to develop mathematical problem-solving skills through discussion and collaboration. They are designed to help students to develop strategies and confidence when tackling unfamiliar problems in maths and will help with preparations for taking advanced papers such as the MAT, TMUA and STEP examinations.

At the same time, the problems used in the course are fun and rewarding. Attending the sessions will greatly enrich students’ mathematical experience and help them to develop a better understanding of A level Mathematics.

## Aims

• To develop initial strategies when dealing with maths problems
• To develop confidence when dealing with maths problems
• To provide some initial information about the problem solving involved in university admissions tests
• To provide a platform on which to build secure problem solving techniques
• To develop tenacity when dealing with maths problems

## Who will benefit from attending?

The course is designed for any A level Mathematics students who have an enquiring mind and wish to develop their problem solving ability for their A level studies and beyond.

It is particularly useful for those students who wish to make the first steps in preparing for university admissions tests such as the MAT, TMUA and STEP examinations.

## Content

The course covers a wide range of mathematical disciplines with problems. These can include

• Algebra: the difference between two squares and other identities
• Geometry: angles, triangle and circles
• Number: digits and divisibility
• Algebra: forming and solving equations
• Combinatorics: systematic counting
• Number: prime factorisation, fractions and irrationals
• Algebra: sequences and series
• Number: indices and logarithms
• Algebra: quadratics, cubics and other polynomials
• Geometry: trigonometry
• Combinatorics: further systematic counting and placement
• Geometry: coordinates and vectors
• Calculus: curve sketching and differentiation
• Calculus: integration
• Combinatorics: the binomial expansion

## Materials and Equipment

If the classes are being held online, you will need access to suitable equipment. You are advised to use a headset or headphones with an inline microphone to provide the best sound quality and to prevent audio issues for other users. A laptop with a built-in webcam and microphone may be sufficient if you’re in a quiet area but please take the time to check this before the session. BBB is designed to be used on a variety of platforms but you will get the best experience via a desktop or laptop computer, running either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as the browser.

Note: Internet Explorer and Edge are not suitable currently.

## Other Information

The following problems provide a taste of the sort of problem solving that will be encountered in the classes

Problem 1: How many primes greater than two can be found that are one less than a square number?

Problem 2: How many pairs of integers can you find that satisfy the equation $$x^2–y^2=45$$?

## Study Schedule

This is a series of problem solving events aimed at Year 12 students, particularly those considering applying to study mathematics, or a related field, at university. The sessions will be useful for those preparing for academic interviews and for those intending to sit the MAT or TMUA papers in November 2022 but would also be of interest to those who simpy enjoy problem solving. We recognise that not every student will be able to attend every session, but will expect students to attend the majority of sessions. The programme will include access to problems that may be tackled alongside the sessions. Some problems will be allocated as follow up or preparation for online sessions.

1) Thursday 11th November

2) Thursday 25th November

3) Thursday 9th December

4) Thursday 13th January

5) Thursday 27th January

6) Thursday 10th February

7) Thursday 3rd March

8) Thursday 31st March

9) Thursday 28th April

10) Thursday 12th May

11) Thursday 26th May

12) Thursday 9th June

## Key Facts

#8788

Students

Year 12

##### Curriculum focus:

University admissions tests, A level Mathematics, A level Further Mathematics

##### Mathematical focus:

Pure, Problem solving

Student course

20 hours

East of England

##### Venue:

Online- Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire

##### Next session:

Thu 27th Jan 2022

##### Course times:

16:30 - 17:45

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