MATHS
NATIONAL 5

Course Description
This Course will develop the learner’s ability to:

  • Understand and use mathematical concepts and relationships
  • Select and apply operational skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics within mathematical contexts
  • Select and apply skills in numeracy
  • Use mathematical models
  • Use mathematical reasoning skills to interpret information, to select a strategy to solve a problem, and to communicate solutions

There are three units in this course:
Expressions and Formulae
L.O. 1
Numerical skills — simplifying surds; simplifying expressions using the laws of indices
Algebraic skills — working with algebraic expressions involving expansion of
brackets; factorising an algebraic expression; completing the square in a quadratic
expression with unitary x2 coefficient; reducing an algebraic fraction to its simplest form;
applying one of the four operations to algebraic fractions
Geometric skills — determining the gradient of a straight line, given two points;
calculating the length of arc or the area of a sector of a circle; calculating the volume of
a standard solid with rounding to a given number of significant figures
L.O. 2: Evidence of reasoning skills demonstrated through responses to L.O. 1

Relationships
Algebraic skills — determining the equation of a straight line given the gradient;
working with linear equations or inequations; working with simultaneous equations;
changing the subject of a formula; recognise and determine the equation of a quadratic
function from its graph; sketching a quadratic function; identifying features of a
quadratic function; solving a quadratic equation which has been factorised; solving a
quadratic equation using the quadratic formula; using the discriminant to determine the
number of roots
Geometric skills — applying the converse of Pythagoras’ theorem; applying the
properties of shapes to determine an angle involving at least two steps; using similarity
to calculate a volume
Trigonometric skills — working with the graphs of trigonometric functions; working
with trigonometric relationships in degrees
L.O. 2 Evidence of reasoning skills demonstrated through responses to L.O. 1

 

Applications
L.O.1
Trigonometric skills — calculating the area of a triangle using trigonometry; using the
sine and cosine rules to find a side or angle; using bearings with trigonometry
Geometric skills — adding or subtracting two-dimensional vectors using directed line
segments; determining coordinates of a point from a diagram representing a 3D object;
adding or subtracting two- or three-dimensional vectors using components; calculating
the magnitude of a vector
Numerical skills — working with reverse percentages; working with
appreciation/depreciation; combination of operations on fractions including mixed
numbers
Statistical skills — comparing data sets using statistics including a measure of
spread; forming a linear model from a given set of data
L.O.2 Evidence of reasoning skills demonstrated through responses to L.O. 1

The Work of the Course
In class pupils discover, develop and practice ideas and examples from the course topics through various resources such as jotters, posters, show-me boards, group work, textbooks, IT.
At home there will be daily revision, practice of work covered in class and formal homework at fortnightly intervals (at least).

Assessment
Learning Outcomes from the units are internally assessed throughout the course and awarded on a pass/fail basis.
For each unit, learners must show competence in two areas – operation skills and reasoning skills.
A final Course Assessment consists of two externally set exam papers, non calculator and calculator.
A course award which is graded A to D requires passes at all units and the final Course Assessment.

 

Possible Progression to  Higher Maths ( from grade A or B), or to National 5 Lifeskills to extend breadth of maths experience.