WJEC GCSE MATHS

The topics listed below are for WJEC GCSE Maths, with exam codes:

– WJEC Eduqas GCSE Mathematics (foundation tier): C300PF

– WJEC Eduqas GCSE Mathematics (higher tier): C300PH

The list provides everything you need for your WJEC GCSE exam, with topics broken into the headings given by the exam board. More information is available here

[https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/mathematics-gcse/#tab_overview]

For samples questions and papers, please click this link:

[https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/mathematics-gcse/#tab_pastpapers]

Everything you need to know about your WJEC GCSE (9-1) Maths specifications can be found here.

Number

Structure and calculation

1. order positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions; use the symbols =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥

2. 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 (e.g. when working with very large or very small numbers, and when calculating with decimals)

3. recognise and use relationships between operations, including inverse operations (e.g. cancellation to simplify calculations and expressions; use conventional notation for priority of operations, including brackets, powers, roots and reciprocals)

4. 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

5. apply systematic listing strategies

6. use positive integer powers and associated real roots (square, cube and higher), recognise powers of 2, 3, 4, 5

7. calculate with roots, and with integer indices

8. calculate exactly with fractions and multiples of π

9. calculate with and interpret standard form A × 10n , where 1 ≤ A < 10 and n is an integer

10. work interchangeably with terminating decimals and their corresponding fractions (such as 3∙5 and 7/2 or 0∙375 and 3/8 )

11. identify and work with fractions in ratio problems

12. interpret fractions and percentages as operators

Measures and accuracy

13. use standard units of mass, length, time, money and other measures (including standard compound measures) using decimal quantities where appropriate

14. estimate answers; check calculations using approximation and estimation, including answers obtained using technology

15. round numbers and measures to an appropriate degree of accuracy (e.g. to a specified number of decimal places or significant figures); use inequality notation to specify simple error intervals due to truncation or rounding

16. apply and interpret limits of accuracy

Algebra

Notation, vocabulary and manipulation

1. use and interpret algebraic notation, including:

ab in place of a × b
3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y
a 2 in place of a × a, a/ 3 in place of a × a × a, a/ 2 b in place of a × a × b
a b in place of a ÷ b
coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals
brackets

2. substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae

3. understand and use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, formulae, identities, inequalities, terms and factors

4. simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions (including those involving surds) by:

collecting like terms
multiplying a single term over a bracket
taking out common factors
expanding products of two binomials
factorising quadratic expressions of the form x 2 + bx + c, including the difference of two squares
simplifying expressions involving sums, products and powers, including the laws of indices

5. understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject

6. know the difference between an equation and an identity; argue mathematically to show algebraic expressions are equivalent, and use algebra to support and construct arguments

7. where appropriate, interpret simple expressions as functions with inputs and outputs

Graphs

8. work with coordinates in all four quadrants

9. plot graphs of equations that correspond to straight-line graphs in the coordinate plane; use the form y = mx + c to identify parallel lines; find the equation of the line through two given points, or through one point with a given gradient

10. identify and interpret gradients and intercepts of linear functions graphically and algebraically

11. identify and interpret roots, intercepts, turning points (stationary points) of quadratic functions graphically; deduce roots algebraically

12. recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of linear functions, quadratic functions, simple cubic functions, the reciprocal function y = 1/x , with x ≠ 0

13. plot and interpret graphs (including reciprocal graphs) and graphs of non-standard functions in real contexts, to find approximate solutions to problems such as simple kinematic problems involving distance, speed and acceleration

Solving equations and inequalities

14. solve linear equations in one unknown algebraically (including those with the unknown on both sides of the equation); find approximate solutions using a graph

15. solve quadratic equations of the form x 2 + bx + c (NOT including those that require rearrangement) algebraically by factorising; find approximate solutions using a graph

16. solve two simultaneous linear equations in two variables algebraically; find approximate solutions using a graph

17. translate simple situations or procedures into algebraic expressions or formulae; derive an equation (or two simultaneous equations), solve the equation(s) and interpret the solution

18. solve linear inequalities in one variable; represent the solution set on a number line

Sequences

19. generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule

20. recognise and use sequences of triangular, square and cube numbers, simple arithmetic progressions, Fibonacci type sequences, quadratic sequences, and simple geometric progressions ( r n where n is an integer, and r is a rational number > 0)

21. deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear sequences

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

1. change freely between related standard units (e.g. time, length, area, volume/capacity, mass) and compound units (e.g. speed, rates of pay, prices, density, pressure) in numerical and algebraic contexts

2. understand the concept of density and be able to use the relationship between density, mass and volume; understand the concept of pressure and be able to use the relationship between pressure, force and area

3. use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps

4. express one quantity as a fraction of another, where the fraction is less than 1 or greater than 1

5. use ratio notation, including reduction to simplest form

6. divide a given quantity into two parts in a given part:part or part:whole ratio; divide a given quantity into more than two parts; express the division of a quantity into two parts as a ratio; apply ratio to real contexts and problems (such as those involving conversion, comparison, scaling, mixing, concentrations)

7. express a multiplicative relationship between two quantities as a ratio or a fraction

8. understand and use proportion as equality of ratios

9. relate ratios to fractions and to linear functions

10. define percentage as ‘number of parts per hundred’; interpret percentages and percentage changes as a fraction or a decimal, and interpret these multiplicatively; express one quantity as a percentage of another; compare two quantities using percentages; work with percentages greater than 100%; solve problems involving percentage change, including percentage increase / decrease and original value problems, and simple interest including in financial mathematics

11. solve problems involving direct and inverse proportion, including graphical and algebraic representations

12. use compound units such as speed, rates of pay, unit pricing, density and pressure

13. compare lengths, areas and volumes using ratio notation; make links to similarity (including trigonometric ratios) and scale factors

14. understand that X is inversely proportional to Y is equivalent to X is proportional to 1 Y ; interpret equations that describe direct and inverse proportion

15. interpret the gradient of a straight line graph as a rate of change; recognise and interpret graphs that illustrate direct and inverse proportion

16. set up, solve and interpret the answers in growth and decay problems, including compound interest

Geometry and Measures

Properties and constructions

1. use conventional terms and notations: points, lines, vertices, edges, planes, parallel lines, perpendicular lines, right angles, polygons, regular polygons and polygons with reflection and/or rotation symmetries; use the standard conventions for labelling and referring to the sides and angles of triangles; draw diagrams from written description

2. use the standard ruler and compass constructions (perpendicular bisector of a line segment, constructing a perpendicular to a given line from/at a given point, bisecting a given angle); use these to construct given figures and solve loci problems; know that the perpendicular distance from a point to a line is the shortest distance to the line

3. apply the properties of angles at a point, angles at a point on a straight line, vertically opposite angles; understand and use alternate and corresponding angles on parallel lines; derive and use the sum of angles in a triangle (e.g. to deduce and use the angle sum in any polygon, and to derive properties of regular polygons)

4. derive and apply the properties and definitions of: special types of triangles, quadrilaterals (including square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezium, kite and rhombus)and other plane figures using appropriate language

5. use the basic congruence criteria for triangles (SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS)

6. apply angle facts, triangle congruence, similarity and properties of quadrilaterals to conjecture and derive results about angles and sides, including Pythagoras’ Theorem and the fact that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal, and use known results to obtain simple proofs

7. identify, describe and construct congruent and similar shapes, including on coordinate axes, by considering rotation, reflection, translation and enlargement (including fractional scale factors)

8. identify and apply circle definitions and properties, including: centre, radius, chord, diameter, circumference, tangent, arc, sector and segment

9. solve geometrical problems on coordinate axes

10. identify properties of the faces, surfaces, edges and vertices of: cubes, cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres

11. construct and interpret plans and elevations of 3D shapes

Mensuration and calculation

12. use standard units of measure and related concepts (length, area, volume/capacity, mass, time, money, etc.)

13. measure line segments and angles in geometric figures, including interpreting maps and scale drawings and use of bearings

14. know and apply formulae to calculate: area of squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezia; volume of cuboids and other right prisms (including cylinders)

15. know the formulae: circumference of a circle = 2πr = πd, area of a circle = πr² ; calculate perimeters of 2D shapes, including circles; areas of circles and composite shapes; surface area and volume of spheres, pyramids, cones and composite solids

16. calculate arc lengths, angles and areas of sectors of circles

17 apply the concepts of congruence and similarity, including the relationships between lengths in similar figures

18. know the formulae for: Pythagoras’ theorem, a² + b² = c² , and the trigonometric ratios, sinθ = opposite/hypotenuse, cosθ = adjacent / hypotenuse , tanθ = opposite /adjacent ; apply them to find angles and lengths in right-angled triangles in two dimensional figures

19. know the exact values of sin θ and cos θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45° , 60° and 90°; know the exact value of tan θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45° and 60°

Vectors

20. describe translations as 2D vectors

21. apply addition and subtraction of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a scalar, and diagrammatic and column representations of vectors

Probability

1. record describe and analyse the frequency of outcomes of probability experiments using tables and frequency trees

2. apply ideas of randomness, fairness and equally likely events to calculate expected outcomes of multiple future experiments

3. relate relative expected frequencies to theoretical probability, using appropriate language and the 0 – 1 probability scale

4. apply the property that the probabilities of an exhaustive set of outcomes sum to one; apply the property that the probabilities of an exhaustive set of mutually exclusive events sum to one

5. understand that empirical unbiased samples tend towards theoretical probability distributions, with increasing sample size

6. enumerate sets and combinations of sets systematically, using tables, grids, Venn diagrams and tree diagrams

7. construct theoretical possibility spaces for single and combined experiments with equally likely outcomes and use these to calculate theoretical probabilities

8. calculate the probability of independent and dependent combined events, including using tree diagrams and other representations, and know the underlying assumptions

Statistics

1. infer properties of populations or distributions from a sample, whilst knowing the limitations of sampling

2. designing and criticising questions for a questionnaire, including notion of fairness

3. interpret and construct tables, charts and diagrams, including frequency tables, bar charts, pie charts and pictograms for categorical data, vertical line charts for ungrouped discrete numerical data, tables and line graphs for time series data and know their appropriate use

4. interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of data sets from univariate empirical distributions through:

appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data
appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outlier)

5. apply statistics to describe a population

6. use and interpret scatter graphs of bivariate data; recognise correlation and know that it does not indicate causation; draw estimated lines of best fit; make predictions; interpolate and extrapolate apparent trends whilst knowing the dangers of so doing

Number

Structure and calculation

1. order positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions; use the symbols =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥

5. apply systematic listing strategies including use of the product rule for counting

6. use positive integer powers and associated real roots (square, cube and higher), recognise powers of 2, 3, 4, 5; estimate powers and roots of any given positive number

7. calculate with roots, and with integer and fractional indices

8. calculate exactly with fractions, surds and multiples of π; simplify surd expressions involving squares (e.g. 12 = √4×3 = √4 × √3 = 2 √3 and rationalise denominators

9. calculate with and interpret standard form A × 10^n , where 1 ≤ A < 10 and n is an integer

Fractions, decimals and percentages

10. work interchangeably with terminating decimals and their corresponding fractions (such as 3∙5 and 7/ 2 or 0∙375 and 3 /8 ); change recurring decimals into their corresponding fractions and vice versa

11. identify and work with fractions in ratio problems

12. interpret fractions and percentages as operators

Measures and accuracy

13. use standard units of mass, length, time, money and other measures (including standard compound measures) using decimal quantities where appropriate

14. estimate answers; check calculations using approximation and estimation, including answers obtained using technology

16. apply and interpret limits of accuracy, including upper and lower bounds

Algebra

Notation, vocabulary and manipulation

1. use and interpret algebraic notation, including:

ab in place of a × b
3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y
a 2 in place of a × a, a³ in place of a × a × a, a² b in place of a × a × b
a/ b in place of a ÷ b
coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals
brackets

2. substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae

3. understand and use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, formulae, identities, inequalities, terms and factors

4. simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions (including those involving surds and algebraic fractions) by:

collecting like terms
multiplying a single term over a bracket
taking out common factors
expanding products of two or more binomials
factorising quadratic expressions of the form x² + bx + c, including the difference of two squares; factorising quadratic expressions of the form ax 2 + bx + c
completing the square
simplifying expressions involving sums, products and powers,

including the laws of indices

5. understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject

6. know the difference between an equation and an identity; argue mathematically to show algebraic expressions are equivalent, and use algebra to support and construct arguments and proofs

7. where appropriate, interpret simple expressions as functions with inputs and outputs; interpret the reverse process as the ‘inverse function’; interpret the succession of two functions as a ‘composite function’

Graphs

8. work with coordinates in all four quadrants

9. plot graphs of equations that correspond to straight-line graphs in the coordinate plane; use the form y = mx + c to identify parallel and perpendicular lines; find the equation of the line through two given points, or through one point with a given gradient

10. identify and interpret gradients and intercepts of linear functions graphically and algebraically

11. identify and interpret roots, intercepts, turning points (stationary points) of quadratic functions graphically; deduce roots algebraically, turning points (stationary points) by completing the square

12. recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of linear functions, quadratic functions, simple cubic functions, the reciprocal function y – 1/x , with x ≠ 0, exponential functions y = k x for positive values of k, and the trigonometric functions (with arguments in degrees) y = sin x , y = cos x and y = tan x for angles of any size

13. sketch translations and reflections of a given function

14. plot and interpret graphs (including reciprocal graphs and exponential graphs) and graphs of non-standard functions in real contexts, to find approximate solutions to problems such as simple kinematic problems involving distance, speed and acceleration

15. calculate or estimate gradients of graphs and areas under graphs (including quadratic and other non-linear graphs), and interpret results in cases such as distance-time graphs, velocity-time graphs and graphs in financial contexts

16. recognise and use the equation of a circle with centre at the origin; find the equation of a tangent to a circle at a given point

Solving equations and inequalities

17. solve linear equations in one unknown algebraically (including those with the unknown on both sides of the equation); find approximate solutions using a graph

18. solve quadratic equations of the form x² + bx + c and ax² + bx + c (including those that require rearrangement) algebraically by factorising, by completing the square and by using the quadratic formula; find approximate solutions using a graph

19. solve two simultaneous equations in two variables (linear/linear or linear/quadratic) algebraically; find approximate solutions using a graph

20. find approximate solutions to equations numerically using iteration, e.g. trial and improvement, decimal search or interval bisection

21. translate simple situations or procedures into algebraic expressions or formulae; derive an equation (or two simultaneous equations), solve the equation(s) and interpret the solution

22. solve linear inequalities in one or two variable(s), and quadratic inequalities in one variable; represent the solution set on a number line, using set notation and on a graph

Sequences

23. generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule

24. recognise and use sequences of triangular, square and cube numbers, simple arithmetic progressions, Fibonacci type sequences, quadratic sequences, and simple geometric progressions ( r n where n is an integer, and r is a rational number > 0 or a surd) and other sequences

25. deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear and quadratic sequences

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

3. use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps

4. express one quantity as a fraction of another, where the fraction is less than 1 or greater than 1

5. use ratio notation, including reduction to simplest form

7. express a multiplicative relationship between two quantities as a ratio or a fraction

8. understand and use proportion as equality of ratios

9. relate ratios to fractions and to linear functions

11. solve problems involving direct and inverse proportion, including graphical and algebraic representations

12. use compound units such as speed, rates of pay, unit pricing, density and pressure

13. compare lengths, areas and volumes using ratio notation; make links to similarity (including trigonometric ratios) and scale factors

14. understand that X is inversely proportional to Y is equivalent to X is proportional to 1 / Y ; construct and interpret equations that describe direct and inverse proportion

15. interpret the gradient of a straight line graph as a rate of change; recognise and interpret graphs that illustrate direct and inverse proportion

16. interpret the gradient at a point on a curve as the instantaneous rate of change; apply the concepts of average and instantaneous rate of change (gradients of chords and tangents) in numerical, algebraic and graphical contexts

17. set up, solve and interpret the answers in growth and decay problems, including compound interest and work with general iterative processes

Geometry and measures

Properties and constructions

5. use the basic congruence criteria for triangles (SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS)

7. identify, describe and construct congruent and similar shapes, including on coordinate axes, by considering rotation, reflection, translation and enlargement (including fractional and negative scale factors)

8. describe the changes and invariance achieved by combinations of rotations, reflections and translations

9. identify and apply circle definitions and properties, including: centre, radius, chord, diameter, circumference, tangent, arc, sector and segment

10. apply and prove the standard circle theorems concerning angles, radii, tangents and chords, and use them to prove related results

11. solve geometrical problems on coordinate axes

12. identify properties of the faces, surfaces, edges and vertices of: cubes, cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres

13. construct and interpret plans and elevations of 3D shapes

Mensuration and calculation

14. use standard units of measure and related concepts (length, area, volume/capacity, mass, time, money, etc.)

15. measure line segments and angles in geometric figures, including interpreting maps and scale drawings and use of bearings

16. know and apply formulae to calculate: area of squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezia; volume of cuboids and other right prisms (including cylinders)

17. know the formulae: circumference of a circle = 2πr = πd, area of a circle = πr² ; calculate: perimeters of 2D shapes, including circles; areas of circles and composite shapes; surface area and volume of spheres, pyramids, cones and composite solids

18. calculate arc lengths, angles and areas of sectors of circles

19. apply the concepts of congruence and similarity, including the relationships between lengths, areas and volumes in similar figures

20. know the formulae for: Pythagoras’ theorem, a² + b² = c² , and the trigonometric ratios, sinθ = opposite / hypotenuse , cosθ = adjacent / hypotenuse , tanθ = opposite / adjacent , apply them to find angles and lengths in right-angled triangles in two dimensional figures and, where possible, general triangles in two and three dimensional figures

21. know the exact values of sin θ and cos θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45° , 60° and 90°; know the exact value of tan θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45° and 60°

22. know and apply the sine rule, a/SinA = b/SinB = c/ SinC, and cosine rule, a² = b² + c² – 2bc cosA, to find unknown lengths and angles

23. know and apply Area = 1/2 ab sinC to calculate the area, sides or angles of any triangle

Vectors

24 describe translations as 2D vectors

25 apply addition and subtraction of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a scalar, and diagrammatic and column representations of vectors; use vectors to construct geometric arguments and proofs