Getting Started

with AS Level Maths

Bridging the gap from GCSE to AS Level

for new students starting in September 2016

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Truro College Maths Department
Introduction
Congratulations on choosing to study AS Level Maths. To help you prepare, this booklet will
enable you to brush up on some of the skills you have learned at GCSE. You are going to need
to use them from day 1, and if you dont have a good grasp of the basics you need to work on
them NOW so that you can start with confidence.

Do the questions in this booklet in pencil, then check your answers. If you get something
wrong, revise the topic then try again. The aim is to get EVERYTHING right!

Studying AS Maths is about learning how to solve problems, and getting stuck is
part of the learning process. You should expect to get stuck while working through
this booklet but these are all GCSE techniques that you will need to master.

There are loads of great resources on the internet to help you, but if you get stuck we
recommend ExamSolutions.net which contains video tutorials for all GCSE Higher content.
We also recommend using this site throughout the A Level course.

http://www.examsolutions.net/maths-
revision/syllabuses/GCSE/period- 1/Higher/module.php

Tip - Download a QR code reader app if you have a smartphone or tablet. The QR codes
throughout this booklet link to helpful websites and tutorials, but if you dont have a smartphone
or tablet with this function, you should be able to find them by name on the relevant websites.

There will be a TEST in your first week at college based on the material in this booklet.
Please bring the completed booklet with you to your first maths lesson.

If you want a more comprehensive revision guide, there are several books available from
Amazon but please note it is NOT compulsory to buy either of these:
Collins Maths - Bridging GCSE and A Level: Student Book
Head Start to AS Maths by CGP Books

Finally, there is an interactive online course called Step up! To A Level Maths
hosted by the University of Plymouth that is packed with extra resources and
examples:
http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/step-up/default.htm

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GCSE Maths AS Level Maths

If youre naturally good at maths you can do You will do a lot of study outside of class
well without much extra studying

Its the answer that matters most, but you Its the method that matters, not the answer.
should show working Often you are given the answer but need to
show steps in the method.

You have an exercise book to keep all your
work together
You will need to buy a folder and some
dividers to organise your notes. It is a good
idea to keep your neat notes separate from
your rough work so you can find them easily
for revision.

Nobody minds how you set out your workings How you present your work can make a big
so long as you get there in the end difference to whether you get the right
answer at all and whether anyone can
understand your method.

Do you feel confident with all of the Higher Level

techniques that you learnt at GCSE?

NO YES

We will not have time to cover

these techniques in class next
year but you ARE required to
know them when you start AS
Maths

Work through the examples

Do the questions in each
and questions in this booklet
section of this booklet and
and use the recommended
check your answers on p.12.
websites or textbooks to help
you revise. Plan your time so
that you can tackle the topics
gradually over the summer

Do the Are you ready for AS Maths? test on p.11

There will be a similar test in your first week at college
LESS THAN 80%

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1. Fractions

You need to be really confident with numerical fractions so that you know what to do with
algebraic ones.
2 4 24 8 3 2 3 6 6
Multiplication: = = and 2 = = NOT !!!
3 5 35 15 5 1 5 5 10

So, using algebra:

When using algebra you will make
fewer mistakes if you write things 3 2 3 6 2 3 2
next to each other like 3 rather
2 ( ) = ( ) ( ) = =
4 1 4 4 2
than 3 and use brackets
(Always simplify fractions by dividing top and bottom
by any common factors as far as possible)

8 2 8 3 83 8 1 5
Division: = = = =4 and 5 = ( ) ( ) = 5 2
3 3 3 2 32 2 1 1

Addition and subtraction - start by making the denominators the same:

5 3 5 6 11 3
+ = + = (At A Level we prefer this as an improper fraction NOT 2 4 )
4 2 4 4 4
Where there is no obvious common denominator you can make one by multiplying the
denominators together. Whatever you do to the bottom of a fraction, you have to do the same to
the top.
2 1 22 15 4 5 45
e.g. = = =
5 2 52 25 10 10 10
Exercise 1
Without a calculator, work these out as a single simplified fraction and check your answers at
the end of the booklet on p.12 (tick the box when you have got it right).
3 2 3 3 1
1. 2. 2+ 3.
4 5 5 2 4

2/7 3 1 2
4. 5. 4 6. +
4 5

5 2 3/5
7. 3 9.
3/2 8. 3 9
4

3 2 3 1 2+7 3
10. + (Hint: multiply the 11. (2 4) + 3 12.
2 2 5
3
top and bottom of by first)

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 2. Indices

You will literally be using indices all the time at AS Level so get to grips with them now!
These are the rules of indices you need to know:

= + = ( ) =

Also: () = ( ) = 0 = 1 1 =

1 1 1 2 2 2
A negative power means a reciprocal e.g. 32 = = and (2) = (1) = 4
32 9
1
3
A fractional power indicates a root e.g. 8 = 8 = 2
3 (since 2 x 2 x 2 = 8)

Example 1: cube square root Look on

examsolutions.net
3 3 for the video tutorial
162 = (16) = 43 = 64 Indices Rational
(fractional) type

Example 2: to the power of 4

4
reciprocal 4 1 3 1 4 1 4 1
83 = ( ) = (3 ) = ( ) =
8 8 2 16
cube root

HINT do the reciprocal first, then the root, then the top power

Exercise 2a Do this exercise without a calculator

Simplify the following leave your answer in the form an
1. 4 3 2. 5 3 3. ( 3 )2

Evaluate the following without using a calculator (i.e. find the value of)
2 3 1 3
4. ( ) 5. 27 3 6. 92
5

1 2 2
4 4
7. 81 8. (3) 9
9

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 Indices Expressing terms in the form
It is often necessary to write expressions in the form (number) or

Common mistake: Common mistake:

1 1
= 3 2 WRONG! 4 = 4 2 WRONG!
3 2
1 1 1 1 1
Actually: = ( ) ( 2) = 2 Actually: 4 = 4 = 2 2
3 2 3 3

One important technique is sliding the number

away from the term so that you can simplify them separately.
Watch this video on
2 1 1
Example 1: = 2 = 2 examsolutions.net

Indices Expressing
6 6 1 6 in the form
Example 2: = ( ) ( 2) = 2
5 2 5 5

You can split the numerator of a fraction to make two separate

terms, but you can never do this with the denominator

1 1
+ 1 1
Example 3: = + = 2( ) + 1 = 2 2 + 2
2

2 2 2
BUT + THIS IS WRONG! In fact this fraction cannot be simplified.
+1 1
Exercise 2b write these expressions in the form
2 3
1. 5 2. 3.
3

2 2 1
4. 5. (3) 6. 3
5

3 4
7. (2) 8.
3 5 9.
3

3 2 2
10. 11. (The answer to this one has two separate terms)
2

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 3. Surds
BBC Bitesize
A surd is an irrational root e.g. 2 , 3 but not 9 because 9 = 3. Simplifying Surds
How to simplify surds:

= . 20 = 4 5 = 45 = 25 Look for multiples

of square numbers
3 3 3 e.g. 4, 9, 16 etc
= . . 4 = =
4 2

Example: 75 + 212 = 25 3 + 24 3 = 253 + 243

= 53 + 43 = 93
Rationalising the denominator:
This means re-writing a fraction so that there is no surd on the bottom. We do this by multiplying
both top and bottom by the surd on the bottom.
2
1 1 5 5 5 Remember: 55 = (5) = 5 NOT 25!
Example 1: = = =
5 5 5 55 5

Where the denominator has two parts we multiply the top and bottom by the whole denominator
but we need to change the sign in the middle.

3 3 12 3(12) 332
Example 2: = = =
1+2 1+2 12 (1+2)(12) 12+222

332 332 Note: dividing by -1 has the

= = = 3 + 32
12 1 same effect as multiplying by -1
1 i.e. it changes all the signs
Example 3: Write 3 in the form + 3
3
Note: dividing by -1 has the
1 3+3 3+3 3+3 3+3same
3+effect
3 as 3 multiplying
3 1 by 1
-1
= = = = = + = + 3
33 3+3 (33)(3+3) 933+3333 93i.e. it changes
6 6all the
6 signs
2 6

Exercise 3 -
Write in the form Rationalise the denominator
2
1. 27 4. 20 345 6.
3

1
2. 48 7.
1+2

5. 200 + 18 250

12 3
3. 8.
2 42

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4. Quadratics
Quadratics are everywhere in A Level Maths! However, you should already be pretty good at
the basic techniques so just keep practising.
Factorisation There are other techniques for
These two numbers multiply to give + 6 factorising quadratics if you cant
do it by inspection (i.e. just
2 5 + 6 = ( 3)( 2) looking at the numbers). Watch
this video from examsolutions.net
. and add together to give - 5
to learn a different approach called
Remember not all quadratics can be factorised! grouping
Difference of two squares (special kind of factorisation)

= ( + )( )

Example 1: 9 2 = (3 + )(3 )

Example 2: 4 2 25 = (2 + 5)(2 5)
The quadratic formula Always check the sign
in front of a, b, and c,
You need to learn this formula as you are not given it in A Level exams.
not just the number
Note: dividing by -1 has
If + + = = (Note - Your answer might involve surds)
the same effect as
multiplying by -1 i.e. it
Exercise 4a
changes all the signs
Factorise the following quadratics. Remember to expand out the brackets to check your
answers. The first one has been partially completed for you.

1. 2 + 2 15 2. 2 9 10 3. 6 2 + 2 (hint just take

= ( 3)( ) out the common factors)

Check by expanding:
( 3)( )
=

4. 49 4 2 5. 2 2 + 5 3 6. 4 2 + 4 + 1

Solve using the quadratic formula without a calculator (where necessary leave in surd form):

7. 2 5 + 4 = 0 8. 3 2 + 2 1 = 0 9. 2 = 3 + 2 Hint:
rearrange to get = 0 first

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 Completing the square

Some quadratics are perfect squares e.g. 2 + 4 + 4 = ( + 2)( + 2) = ( + 2)2

Most quadratics are not like this, but can be written as a square that is adjusted slightly.
e.g. 2 + 4 + 7 the first two terms are the same as above so try ( + 2)2 , but this gives + 4 as
the constant and we want + 7, hence 2 + 4 + 7 = ( + 2)2 4 + 7 = ( + 2)2 + 3
In general:
examsolutions.net
+ + = ( + ) ( ) + Completing the
Square
Example 1: 2 + 6 + 2 = ( + 3)2 (3)2 + 2 = ( + 3)2 7

Example 2: 2 4 + 3 = ( 2)2 (2)2 + 3 = ( 2)2 4 + 3 = ( 2)2 1

5 2 5 2 5 2 25 5 2 33
Example 3: 2 + 5 2 = ( + ) ( ) 2 = ( + ) 2 = ( + )
2 2 2 4 2 4

Exercise 4b
By completing the square, write these quadratic expressions in the form ( + )2 +

1. 2 + 8 + 7 2. 2 2 15 3. 2 + 6 + 10

1
4. 2 + 12 + 100 5. 2 3 1 6. 2 2 + 1

Going a step further:

You can solve a quadratic equation in this way: e.g. 2 4 5 = 0
1. Complete the square: ( 2)2 9 = 0
2. Put the number of the right hand side ( 2)2 = 9
3. Square root both sides (remembering the sign!) 2 = 3
4. Add 2 to both sides to get TWO answers = 2 3 so = 5 = 1

Exercise 4c Solve by completing the square

1. 2 + 6 7 = 0 2. 2 2 3 = 0 3. 2 + 5 = 6

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Truro College Maths Department
5. Trigonometry
This wont pop up until a bit later in the year, but it is stuff you should already know!

Mathsisfun .com
trigonometry-
index.html

Exercise 5 find the side marked or the angle marked in each triangle to 1 d.p.
1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6. Find a

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Truro College Maths Department
ARE YOU READY FOR AS MATHS? - PRACTICE TEST
When you start the course we will give you a test on the material in this booklet to check that
you are ready to start AS. Try this test in exam conditions (write on lined paper, not this booklet)
then mark it using the answers at the back of the booklet and give yourself a score. You should
aim for over 80% but certainly anything less than 60% should be a worry. Go back to the
exercises containing the questions you got wrong then try this test again in a few days time.
Time: 1 hour. No calculator allowed except for Q9 and Q10.

1. Write as a single fraction:

3 3 Quadratic formula:
a) 2 b) 5
2
5 2 4
=
2
2. Evaluate:
5 1 Cosine rule:
a) 42 b) 162
2 = 2 + 2 2
3. Write in the form :
2 4
a) b)
3 5

4. Simplify:
a) 32 b) 20 + 245 380

5. Rationalise the denominator:

1 5
a) b)
2 23

6. Factorise these quadratics:

a) 2 5 24 b) 9 2 4

7. Solve using the quadratic formula (leave your answer in surd form if necessary):
a) 6 2 + 1 = 0 b) 2 7 + 9 = 0

8. Write in the form ( + )2 + (i.e. complete the square):

1
a) 2 + 2 6 b) 2 + 3 + 4

9. Find the side marked to 1 d. p.:

a) b)
(Not to scale)

10. Find the angle marked to 1 d.p.:

a) b)

Score

/40
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Truro College Maths Department
Solutions to Exercises

Exercise 1 - Fractions
3 13 1 12 3
1. 2. 3. 6 4. 5. 6.
10 5 14 5
10 8 1 3+2 27 10+29
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
3 9 15 2 8 10

Exercise 2a - Indices
1. 7 2. 2 3. 6
8 1 9 2
4. 125 5. 3 6. 27 7. 8. 9.
3 4 3

Exercise 2b Writing as
1 1 1 1
1 4
1. 5 2 2. 2 3 3. 3 2 4. 2 5. 2 6. 3
5 9
3 1 3
4 1
7. 8 2 8. 5 9. 2 10. 3 2 11. 1 2 2
3 3

Exercise 3 - Surds
1. 33 2. 43 3. 3 4. 75 5. 32
12+32
6. 7. 1 + 2 8.
14

Exercise 4a Factorising and the quadratic formula

1. ( 3)( + 5) 2. ( 10)( + 1) 3. 2(3 + 1)
4. (7 + 2)(7 2) (Difference of two squares)
5. (2 1)( + 3) 6. (2 + 1)2
1 3+17 317
7. = 4 = 1 8. = 3 = 1 9. = =
2 2

Exercise 4b Completing the square

1. ( + 4)2 9 2. ( 1)2 16 3. ( + 3)2 + 1
3 2 13 1 2 15
4. ( + 6)2 + 64 5. ( 2) 6. ( 4) + 16
4

Exercise 4c Solving by completing the square

1. = 7 = 1 2. = 3 = 1 3. = 2 = 3

Exercise 5 - Trigonometry
1. = 9 2. = 15.6 3. = 29.1
4. = 45.5 5. = 48.8 (Sine Rule) 6. = 4.7 (Cosine Rule)

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ARE YOU READY FOR AS MATHS? - SOLUTIONS
For each part, give yourself 2 marks for a perfect answer (including working), 1 mark if you used
the correct method but made a mistake and 0 marks for doing it totally wrong! The total test is
out of 40 and anything below 24/40 is worrying and means you must go back to the
exercises and try again to master the techniques, using the tips on page 2 of the booklet
for help.

3 3 3 5 15 3 1 3
1. a) 2 = 2 1 = = b) ( ) (5) = 10
5 5 1 2 2 2

1
1
5 1 2 1 1
2. a) (4) = 25 = 32 b) 16 2 =( ) = =
16 16 4
1
2 1 2 4
3. a) ( ) ( ) = 1 b) 2
3 3 5

4. a) 162 = 42

b) 45 + 295 3165 = 25 + 65 125 = 45

1 2 2 2
5. a) = =
2 2 22 2

5 2+3 10+53 10+53

b) = = = 10 + 53
23 2+3 423+2333 43

6. a) ( 8)( + 3) b) (3 + 2)(3 2) Difference of two squares

114(6)(1) 11+24 125 15

7. a) = = = =
2(6) 12 12 12

1 + 5 1 1 5 1
= = = =
12 3 12 2
7494(1)(9) 74936 713 7+13 713
b) = = = , = =
2 2 2 2 2

8. a) ( + 1)2 1 6 = ( + 1)2 7
3 2 3 2 1 3 2 9 1 3 2
b) ( + 2) (2) + 4 = ( + 2) 4 + 4 = ( + 2) 2

9. a) cos 70 = 24 , = 24 cos 70 = 8.2

b) Cosine Rule: 2 = 32 + 152 2(3)(15) cos 150 = 311.9, = 17.7

15.1 15.1
10. a) cos = , = cos 1 ( ) = 23.8
16.5 16.5
sin sin85 8.1sin85
b) Sine Rule: = , sin = = 0.7834 .
8.1 10.3 10.3

= sin1 (0.7834 ) = 51.6

Staple your completed test to this booklet and bring it with you to your first lecture in
September so you have a record that you can discuss with your lecturer.

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