Thinking of taking A-level maths? Here are some key differences you’ll find from the style of GCSE maths, all designed to make our life easier not harder:
1) EMBRACE THE ALGEBRA!
Maths is ultimately about spotting patterns, and algebra is the language we use to write down patterns. A simple example: $A=l \times w$ is a formula to tell you how big a rectangle is. ANY rectangle. At GCSE, it is reasonable to develop clever tools to avoid having to use algebra; but at A-level, we must embrace algebra: it’s our friend and is there to make maths easier! An example:
