A Level Maths

Summer Bridging Work

Contents
Page 2: Introduction for prospective A Level Maths
students
Pages 3-5: Useful Preparation for A Level Maths
Pages 6-25: Practice Paper

Royal Russell School 1

 Information for Prospective A Level Maths Students

If you intend to take A Level Maths, please complete and mark the Bridging to A Level Maths practice paper
over the summer. There is also a series of Corbett Maths worksheets and supporting videos that would be
useful to complete, found in the Further preparation work file. If you intend to take Double Maths you must
complete these worksheets.

All students with a 7 at GCSE or without a GCSE / iGCSE qualification in Mathematics (e.g. many
international students) will be tested on the mathematical content below at the start of Year 12 to confirm
suitability for A-level Maths. Please complete sufficient preparation, including the practice paper. You will be
allowed a scientific calculator and dictionary for the test.
Please note that the topics below are those that all prospective students should be confident with.
Pre-requisite knowledge & revision list
NUMBER
 Percentages skills, including compound interest & depreciation, e.g. I have £2,000 invested in a
bank for 5 years at 3% per year. What interest do I earn in total ?
 Standard Form calculations, e.g. write in standard form (2.3 X 10 -3) + (8 X 10-4)
 Proportionality, e.g. working with expressions such as y=kx3 and y = k/x
 The nth term of an arithmetic series and formula for the sum of an arithmetic series

ALGEBRA
 Simplifying expressions including those with indices, e.g. simplify (2y 4m-3)3
 Factorising expressions (putting into brackets), e.g. 6k2 + 8k = 2k(3k +4)
 Manipulating surds including “rationalising” a denominator
 Solving linear equations
 Solving quadratic equations by factorising and using the quadratic formula
 Completing the square, e.g. write 6x –x2 in the form a – (x + b)2 where a and b are numbers, and its
use to find max / min values on a quadratic curve
 Re-arranging equations, including with a repeated factor, e.g. make x the subject of 3x- 5 = d + ax
 Solving simultaneous equations, including a pair of linear equations and also a linear & a quadratic
equation
 Simplifying algebraic fractions and solving equations involving algebraic fractions
 Solving linear and quadratic inequalities
 Functions e.g. f(x) = 2x +1, g( x) = x + 7 including inverse and composite functions, e.g. gf(3)

GEOMETRY
 Trigonometry including the Sine and Cosines rules and application in 3 dimension (3D) problems
 Area of any triangle (please refer to formula sheet)
 Pythagoras’ theorem including line length and application in 3D problems
 Volume and surface area of prisms, pyramids & spheres (please refer to formula sheet)
 Equation of a straight line, and gradients & equations of parallel and perpendicular lines
 Area and perimeter of circles and sectors of a circle

STATISTICS & PROBABILITY

 Calculating simple averages from a list of numbers and estimating a mean from a grouped frequency
table
 Calculating simple theoretical probabilities for individual events & using tree diagrams to calculate
probabilities for combined events, involving multiplication & addition rules

Useful resources

“Headstart to A-Level Maths” published by CGP ISBN 978 1 78294 792 9 www.cgpbooks.co.uk
Corbett Maths GCSE worksheets, available on-line www.corbettmaths.com
Maths genie worksheets, available on-line www.mathsgenie.co.uk

Royal Russell School 2

Useful preparation for A Level Maths - selected video tutorials
and exercises from Corbett Maths
The following resources are taken from the AQA Level 2 Further Maths section on the
Corbett Maths website. https://corbettmaths.com/more/further-maths/

You need to select the “More” tab first of all.

They would really enable you to get a head start to A Level Maths.

If you have taken IGCE or GCSE Maths , you may have met some of these topics before. I
particularly recommend the topics in red for these students.

Number

Surds (rationalising denominators) Video Practice Questions Answer

Algebra

Function Notation Video Practice Questions Answers

Composite Functions Video Practice Questions Answers

Inverse Functions Video Practice Questions Answers

Domains and Ranges Video Practice Questions Answers

Expanding Brackets (Pascal’s triangle) Video Practice Questions Answers

Factorising Quadratics Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Fractions (add/subtract) Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Fractions (multiply) Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Fractions (divide) Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Fractions (equations) Video Practice Questions Answers

Changing the Subject Video Practice Questions Answers

Factor Theorem Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Long Division Video Practice Questions Answers

Factorising Cubics Video Practice Questions Answers

Solving Cubics Video Practice Questions Answers

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Completing the Square (x²) Video Practice Questions Answers

Completing the Square (ax²) Video Practice Questions Answers

Exponential Graphs Video Practice Questions Answers

Sketching Quadratics Video Practice Questions Answers

Solving Quadratics (Completing the Square) Video Practice Questions Answers

Simultaneous Equations (non-linear) Video Practice Questions Answers

Quadratic Inequalities Video Practice Questions Answers

Fractional Indices Video Practice Questions Answers

Negative Indices Video Practice Questions Answers

Equations with indices/roots Video Practice Questions Answers

Algebraic Proof Video Practice Questions Answers

Linear Sequences Video Practice Questions Answers

Geometry

Trig Identities Video Practice Questions Answers

Trig Graphs Video Practice Questions Answers

Solving Trigonometric Equations: Introduction Video

Solving Trigonometric Equations 1 Video Practice Questions Answers

Solving Trigonometric Equations 2 Video Practice Questions Answers

Calculus

Introduction Video Practice Questions Answers

Differentiation Video Practice Questions Answers

Differentiation after Rearranging Video Practice Questions Answers

Gradient of a Curve Video Practice Questions Answers

Equation of a Tangent Video Practice Questions Answers

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Equation of a Normal Video Practice Questions Answers

Increasing/Decreasing Function Video Practice Questions Answers

d2y/dx2 Video Practice Questions Answers

Stationary Points Video Practice Questions Answers

Application of Differentiation Video Practice Questions Answers

Sketch curve knowing maxima/minima Video Practice Questions Answers

Coordinates Geometry

Gradient Video Practice Questions Answers

Parallel Lines Video Practice Questions Answers

Equation of a Line Video Practice Questions Answers

Equation of a Circle (centre is the origin) Video Practice Questions Answers

Equation of a Circle (centre not the origin) Video Practice Questions Answers

Perpendicular Lines Video Practice Questions Answers

Equation of a Tangent to a Circle Video Practice Questions Answers

Royal Russell School 5

 Practice paper for prospective
‘A’ Level Mathematics Students
(90 mins)

Name………………………………..
This paper prepares you for starting the A level Maths course in September.
Please complete it & then mark it using the worked solutions provided.

You may use:

 a scientific calculator
 a translation dictionary

Some Vocabulary Hints:

Factorise means put back into brackets,

e.g. factorise 4x – 6 answer : 2(2x + 3)

Solve means to work out the value of a variable, e.g. x or y, as a number

(including as a fraction or decimal)
e.g. solve 2x + 1 = 6 answer: x = 2.5

“Round to one decimal place” means allowing one number only to the right of
the decimal point

e.g. 1.345 rounded to 1 decimal place is 1.3

e.g. 12.468 rounded to one decimal place is 12.5

Royal Russell School 6

 International GCSE Mathematics
Formulae sheet – Higher Tier

Arithmetic series 1
n Area of trapezium = (a + b)h
Sum to n terms, Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d] 2
2
The quadratic equation a

The solutions of ax2 + bx + c = 0 where

a 0 are given by: h

- b ± b2 - 4ac
x=
2a b

Trigonometry In any triangle ABC

C a b c
Sine Rule = =
sin A sin B sin C

b a Cosine Rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bccos A

1
Area of triangle = ab sin C
A B 2
c

1 Volume of prism
Volume of cone = h
2
= area of cross section length
3
Curved surface area of cone =

cross
h section

length

Volume of cylinder = h
2
4
Curved surface area Volume of sphere = 3
3
of cylinder = 2
Surface area of sphere = 4 2

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1 (a) Factorise 6y2 +18yt

.......................................................
(1)
(b) Solve 3(m + 7) = 12 – 5m
Show clear algebraic working.

m = .......................................................
(3)

(c) Solve the inequality 8w + 7 < 41

......................................................
(2)

(d) Solve this equation. Give your solutions correct to 3 significant figures.

2m2 + 6m = 7

......................................................
(3)
Royal Russell School 8
 (d) Solve the inequality w2 + w > 6

......................................................
(3)
2 (a) Simplify g8 ÷ g2

.......................................................
(1)
(b) Simplify 6e2m7 × 3em4

.......................................................
(2)
1
6 2 2
(c) Simplify (64a c )

.......................................................
(2)
(d) Factorise 4x2 – 81

.......................................................
(1)

Royal Russell School 9

 1- 2k
(e) Make k the subject of f=
3

……………………..(3)

3. Here are the first 5 terms of an arithmetic sequence.

100, 95, 90, 85, 80

i) Find an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term of the sequence.

.................................................
(Total 2 marks)

ii) Find the sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence.

.................................................
(Total 2 marks)

Royal Russell School 10

 12 x 2 - 3
4 Simplify fully
6 x2  5x - 4

.......................................................
(3 marks)
____________________________________________________________________________

5. Toby invested £4500 for 2 years in a savings account.

He was paid 4% per annum compound interest.

How much did Toby have in his savings account after 2 years?

£ ............................
(Total 3 marks)

Royal Russell School 11

 6. Calculate the area of this sector

………………………
(3 marks)

7. R is inversely proportional to the square of c.

When c = 3, R = 20

(a) Find a formula for R in terms of c.

................................
(3)
(b) Calculate R when c = 2

c =................................
(2)

Royal Russell School 12

8.
Q
Diagram NOT
accurately drawn
12.7 cm 52°

R P

Work out the length of RP. Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

.......................................................cm (2)

9. (a) Show that (5 − 8 )(7 + 2 ) = 31 − 9 2

Show each stage of your working.

(3)

Royal Russell School 13

 (b) Show that the following expression can be written in the form a + √b

where a and b are whole numbers:

2

(2)

2w - 3 2w - 5
10. (a) Solve  =2
7 3
Show clear algebraic working.

w = ..................................................................................
(3)

Royal Russell School 14

 3e  7
(b) Make e the subject of the formula t=
e-3

..................................................................................
(4)
______________________________________________________________________________

Royal Russell School 15

11.

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

ABC is a triangle. AB = 8.7 cm.

Angle ABC = 49°. Angle ACB = 64°.
b. Calculate length AC, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cm

a. Hence work out the area of triangle ABC, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

…………………………………. cm2
(5 marks)

Royal Russell School 16

12 f is the function such that f (x) = 4 - x and f (x) ⩾ 0

g is the function such that g(x) = 3 – 5x

i) Work out g(3)

……………………(2)

ii) Find fg(x)

Give your answer in its simplest form.

fg(x) = .......................................................
(2)
____________________________________________________________________________

Royal Russell School 17

13 Genevieve has two bags of marbles, bag A and bag B.
In bag A there are only 3 red marbles and 4 green marbles.
In bag B there are only 4 red marbles and 5 yellow marbles.
Genevieve takes at random one marble from each bag.
(a) Complete the probability tree diagram.

Bag A Bag B
red
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

red
3
7 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

yellow

red
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. ..

green

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
yellow
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that Genevieve takes two red marbles.

.......................................................
(2)
(4 marks)
____________________________________________________________________________

Royal Russell School 18

 2 2
5n 5n -5n
14 a) 6 ´ = 125 where n > 0
5 53
Work out the value of n.
Show clear algebraic working.

n = .......................................................
(4 marks)

b) Write 7.8 × 104 as an ordinary number.

.............................................................. (1)

c) Work out (4.62 × 105 )× (5×10-2) giving your answer in standard form

.............................................................. (1)

Royal Russell School 19

15
P
Diagram NOT
accurately drawn

11 cm
D
C

O
72°
A B

The diagram shows a pyramid with a horizontal square base.

The vertex, P, of the pyramid is vertically above the centre, O, of the base.
The triangular faces of the pyramid are congruent isosceles triangles.
In triangle ABP
PA = PB = 11 cm and angle PBA = 72°
Work out the height, OP, of the pyramid.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

.......................................................cm
(4 marks)
____________________________________________________________________________

Royal Russell School 20

16 The table gives information about the examination scores of 30 students.

Score Frequency
1 – 20 1
21 – 40 5
41 – 60 8
61 – 80 10
81 – 100 6

Work out an estimate for the mean score of the 30 students.

......................................................
(3 marks)
______________________________________________________________________________

Royal Russell School 21

17 Solve the simultaneous equations

2x2 + 3y2 = 14
x = 2y – 3
Show clear algebraic working.

..................................................................................
(5 marks)

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18 The diagram shows a solid cone.

Diagram NOT
accurately drawn

l cm

2 3 cm

The radius of the base of the cone is 2 3 cm.

The slant height of the cone is l cm.
The total surface area of the cone is 36π cm2
Work out the exact value of l.

Give your answer in the form 2 a where a is an integer.

l = ......................................................
(5 marks)
Royal Russell School 23
19 The diagram shows a triangular prism.

D Diagram NOT
accurately drawn

E
C
50°
A

12 cm
60°

B
The point E lies on AD.
Angle EBC = 60° Angle ECB = 50° Angle ABC = 90° Angle BAD = 90°
BC = 12 cm
Work out the length of AB. Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

...................................................... cm
(4 marks)
______________________________________________________________________________
End (Total : 90 marks)
Royal Russell School 24
Royal Russell School 25