Wednesday, September 4, 2019

New Gcse: Sequences

I've been busy getting my caput unopen to the additional sequences content inward the novel ix - 1 Maths GCSE together with idea it would hold upwards helpful to portion my findings. Quite a lot has been added to the higher tier. Previously students covered all the GCSE sequences content at Key Stage three thus at that topographic point was zero novel to learn at Key Stage 4. But directly nosotros involve to include a few weeks' worth of sequences lessons inward our GCSE schemes of work.

We've gone from this (from the current Pearson Edexcel Specification - GCSE 2012 Maths A):
...to this (from the new Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) inward Mathematics):
All the linear sequences content remains (see my previous post nigh methods for finding an nth term). The terms arithmetic progression and geometric progression are directly used inward both the specification together with sample assessment materials - damage I unremarkably don't innovate to students until Year 12.

Let's accept a await at the novel content inward detail.
1. "Recognise together with purpose sequences of triangular, foursquare together with cube numbers"
There's no specific refer of triangular numbers inward the electrical flow Key Stage three together with iv curricula. I've ever covered triangular numbers equally an enrichment topic at Key Stage three anyway, exactly directly students could hold upwards examined on this. It's probable that square, cube together with triangular numbers volition come upwards up inward Venn Diagram questions similar inward this activity from Flash Maths:
If you're looking for resources for square, cube together with triangular release sequences together with then there's enough available, similar this Don Steward and algebra library.

I promise this post service has helped you lot figure out how this topic has changed nether the novel GCSE specifications. Let me know what you lot think.