Use of
technology in
the 2017
A level Maths &
Further Maths
Ofqual guidance for awarding organisations
“The use of technology, in particular
mathematical and statistical graphing tools
and spreadsheets, must permeate the study of
AS and A level mathematics.”
Your experience of using graphing tools
Give an example of where using graphing tools
has enhanced students’ understanding of
mathematics.
Starter activity
Plot the graph of
y = x³ + ax + 1
What questions can you ask
about this function?
Approach of awarding organisations
 Graphing questions with parameters
 Strong emphasis on linking graphs and algebra
 Questions involving the output of spreadsheets
(MEI only)
 Use of calculator to find probabilities
 Spreadsheets encouraged for large data set
Sample Assessment questions
How will you use
technology to
ensure that
students are better
prepared for these
type of questions?
Sample Assessment question (MEI)
SAM question (MEI) – solution
Ways to use technology
During A level Maths courses students will benefit from:
 Exploring using graphing technology
 Experiencing investigating data with statistical tools
(especially the large data set)
 Using spreadsheets for Statistics, Pure Maths (functions)
and modelling in Mechanics
 Using CAS software to investigate algebraic
relationships.
Using spreadsheets/statistical tools
 Students should
experience using
spreadsheets and
statistical tools for
investigating the large
data set
 The statistical functions
in GeoGebra are easy to
use
Graphing tools – GeoGebra/Desmos
GeoGebra and Desmos
are free graphing tools
that are available online
or as an phone/tablet
app from:
• www.geogebra.org
• www.desmos.com/
For classroom tasks see: mei.org.uk/integrating-technology
Graphical Calculators
Graphical Calculators are a very
effective way of ensuring student
use of technology permeates the
study of A level.
Support with using Casio Graphical
Calculators is available via:
mei.org.uk/casio-networks
For classroom tasks see: mei.org.uk/integrating-technology
Ofqual guidance on calculators
Calculators used must include
the following features:
 an iterative function
 the ability to compute
summary statistics and
access probabilities from
standard statistical
distributions
 the ability to perform
calculations with matrices up
to at least order 3 x 3 (FM)
SAM questions (Calculator use)
Edexcel A level Paper 3
A machine cuts strips of metal to length L cm, where L is normally distributed with
standard deviation 0.5 cm.
Strips with length either less than 49cm or greater than 50.75cm cannot be used.
Given that 2.5% of the cut lengths exceed 50.98 cm,
(a) find the probability that a randomly chosen strip of metal can be used.
OCR AS level Further Mathematics Pure Core Paper
You are given two matrices, A and B, where
2 1
𝐀= 1 1
−1 2
−4 8 −2
5
3 and 𝐁 = −5 9 −1
3 −5 1
2
Show A−1 = kB where k is a constant to be determined.
[2]
[5]
SAM questions (mark schemes)
Edexcel A level Paper 3
A machine cuts strips of metal to length L cm, where L
is normally distributed with standard deviation 0.5 cm.
Strips with length either less than 49cm or greater than
50.75cm cannot be used.
Given that 2.5% of the cut lengths exceed 50.98 cm,
(a) find the probability that a randomly chosen strip of
metal can be used.
[5]
OCR AS level Further Maths Pure Core Paper
You are given two matrices, A and B, where
2
𝐀= 1
−1
1
1
2
−4
5
3 and 𝐁 = −5
3
2
8
9
−5
−2
−1
1
Show A−1 = kB where k is a constant to be determined. [2]
OCR & MEI “non-calculator” questions
Questions that include the instruction:
Any calculations in your written solution to this
question must use only elementary functions.
“… This is not a restriction on a learner’s use of a
calculator when tackling the question, e.g. for checking an
answer …”
Reflections
 What technology do you want your students to
have in the exam: scientific or graphical
calculator?
 How does this impact on your use of technology
in the classroom?
Further Support
 Ideas for integrating technology:
mei.org.uk/integrating-technology
 Large Data Set:
integralmaths.org/
 Getting started with GeoGebra:
mei.org.uk/geogebra#getting-started
 Support with using graphical calculators (including free 1year trial of the emulator):
education.casio.co.uk/
The Further Mathematics Support
Programme
Our aim is to increase the uptake of
AS and A level Further Mathematics
to ensure that more students reach
their potential in mathematics.
The FMSP works closely with
school/college maths departments to
provide professional development
opportunities for teachers and maths
promotion events for students.
To find out more please visit
www.furthermaths.org.uk