Year 12 Regular Problem Solving Classes
Surrey, Berks and HantsOverview
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.
Access to GeoGebra or desmos will also be useful.
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
Priority will be given to students from schools in state schools living in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.
Please contact the event organiser if you wish to be added to a the waiting list. There are no guarantees with a waiting list, but sometimes places do become available.
We will also be looking at numbers of students from institutions to ensure that places are fairly shared within the region. Please ensure that you teacher knows you have applied for a place on this course.
In addition to the eight time-tabled problem solving sessions, optional extra problems will be set for you to work on in your own time if you choose to. Discussion of these and other relevant topics can take place on the discussion forum or followed up in the live sessions as relevant.
Dates for the sessions are as follows: 8/1/2022, 22/1/2022, 5/2/2022, 5/3/2022, 19/3/2022, 23/4/2022, 7/5/2022 and 21/5/2022
Key Facts
Event ref:
#9250
Audience:
Students
Target year:
Year 12
Curriculum focus:
University admissions tests, A level Mathematics, A level Further Mathematics
Mathematical focus:
Pure, Problem solving
Event format:
Student course
Event length:
20 hours
Region:
South
Venue:
Online
Next session:
Sat 7th May 2022
Course times:
09:30 - 12:30
Queries?
If you have any queries about this event, please do not hesitate to contact:
Yvonne Scott
[email protected]
07411 070111