AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies - Assumed Knowledge - Version 1.0, June 2014

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies assumed prior knowledge document specifying the mathematical content students are expected to already know. It outlines required familiarity with core number skills such as operations, place value, prime factorisation, powers and standard form. It also covers algebraic notation and manipulation, substituting into formulae, rearranging equations, functions, graph work including gradients and intercepts, and preparation for solving equations, inequalities and generating sequences, with guidance on calculator and estimation usage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

AQA Guidance

Assumed knowledge overview

Number

Structure and calculation

Fractions, decimals and percentages

Measures and accuracy

Algebra

Notation, vocabulary and manipulation

Graphs

Solving equations and inequalities

Sequences

AQA Guidance Level 3 Mathematical Studies Assumed knowledge MATHEMATICS The assumed prior knowledge for AQA’s Level 3 Mathematical Studies is all of the content in this booklet. In addition to this content it is expected that students will: 􀁸 be familiar with the knowledge and use of the formula y = mx + c 􀁸 be able to find the gradient of a line connecting two different points be familiar with spreadsheet formulae, including: “=A1+A2+A3” to sum values in cells “=2*B3” to multiply a value in a given cell “=SUM(A1:A10)” Version 1.0, June 2014 Basic foundation subject content 3.1 Number 3.1.1 Structure and calculation N1 order positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions use the symbols =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥ Notes: including use of a number line. N2 apply the four operations, including formal written methods, to integers, decimals and simple fractions (proper and improper), and mixed numbers – all both positive and negative understand and use place value (eg when working with very large or very small numbers, and when calculating with decimals) Notes: including questions set in context. Knowledge of terms used in household finance, for example profit, loss, cost price, selling price, debit, credit and balance, income tax, VAT, interest rate. N3 recognise and use relationships between operations, including inverse operations (eg cancellation to simplify calculations and expressions) use conventional notation for priority of operations, including brackets, powers, roots and reciprocals N4 use the concepts and vocabulary of prime numbers, factors (divisors), multiples, common factors, common multiples, highest common factor, lowest common multiple, prime factorisation, including using product notation and the unique factorisation theorem Notes: prime factor decomposition including product of prime factors written in index form. N5 apply systematic listing strategies Notes: including using lists, tables and diagrams. N6 use positive integer powers and associated real roots (square, cube and higher), recognise powers of 2, 3, 4, 5 Notes: including square numbers up to Students should know that and 1 million = 106 N8 calculate exactly with fractions N9 calculate with and interpret standard form , where and is an integer Notes: with and without a calculator. Interpret calculator displays. 3.1.2 Fractions, decimals and percentages N10 work interchangeably with terminating decimals and their corresponding fractions (such as 3.5 and ~~ ~~ or 0.375 and ~~ ~~ ) Notes: including ordering. N11 identify and work with fractions in ratio problems N12 interpret fractions and percentages as operators Notes: including interpreting percentage problems using a multiplier. 3.1.3 Measures and accuracy N13 use standard units of mass, length, time, money and other measures (including standard compound measures) using decimal quantities where appropriate Notes: know and use metric conversion factors for length, area, volume and capacity. Imperial / metric conversions will be given in the question. N14 estimate answers check calculations using approximation and estimation, including answers obtained using technology Notes: including evaluation of results obtained. N15 round numbers and measures to an appropriate degree of accuracy (eg to a specified number of decimal places or significant figures) Notes: including appropriate rounding for questions set in context. Students should know not to round values during intermediate steps of a calculation. 3.2 Algebra 3.2.1 Notation, vocabulary and manipulation A1 use and interpret algebraic notation, including: • in place of • in place of and • in place of , in place of , in place of • ~~ ~~ in place of • coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals • brackets Notes: it is expected that answers are given in simplest form without an explicit instruction to d

FAQs

What prior knowledge is required for AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies?

Students are expected to be familiar with all content in the booklet, and in addition with key topics such as using the formula y = mx + c and spreadsheet formulae for summing and multiplication.

Which number topics are included in the assumed knowledge?

The document specifies operations on integers, decimals and fractions, place value, inverse operations, notation for priority of operations, prime factors and factorisation, systematic listing strategies, powers and roots, exact fraction work, and standard form.

What algebra and graphing skills are students expected to have?

Students should handle algebraic notation, substitution into formulae, simplifying and rearranging expressions, interpret expressions as functions, work with coordinates and straight-line graphs, and identify gradients and intercepts both graphically and algebraically, including linear and quadratic function graphs.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret