Functional Skills in Mathematics

Rob Apperley and Gill Colley

60^+VATHTML on CD-ROMNov 08978 1 84070 811 0

• Required for GCSE from 2010
• Simple and easy to use
• Tailored to each student

Focus on key skills

A pass in functional maths will be a requirement for gaining an A*-C grade at GCSE and other qualifications from 2010. This means that functional skills will be a key area of focus for all students who are currently in Key Stage 3. Maths departments need to act now to make sure their students have a firm grounding in these crucial areas.

Designed for the purpose

Functional Skills in Mathematics is a new resource specifically designed to develop the functional skills that all students will need, as applied to real life/workplace situations. It covers:

• understanding a situation
• choosing an approach to tackle the problem
• formulating a model using mathematics
• using mathematics to provide answers
• interpreting and checking results
• evaluating the model and approach
• explaining the analysis and results
• applying and adapting experience to other situations as they arise.

Ideal for independent study

Functional Skills in Mathematics consists of diagnostic questions which identify strengths and areas of weakness in the following mathematical concepts:

• number
• arithmetic
• ratio and proportion
• fractions, decimals and percentages
• simple equations and formulae
• area, perimeter and volume of common shapes
• metric and imperial measures
• 2D representations of 3D objects
• discrete and continuous data
• interpreting tables and diagrams
• using statistical methods to investigate situations
• probabilities.

Once they have taken their initial test, students then work on the areas where they need most reinforcement, using step-by-step worked examples and practice questions. Full teacher’s guidance and useful Web links are also included.