National Curriculum

Unit 2

Unit Description The algebra section of this unit focuses on exponentials and logarithms. Their graphs are examined and their applications in a wide range of settings are explored. Arithmetic and geometric sequences are introduced and their applications are studied. Rates and average rates of change are introduced, and this is followed by the key concept of the derivative as an ‘instantaneous rate of change’. These concepts are reinforced numerically, by calculating difference quotients both geometrically, as slopes of chords and tangents, and algebraically. Calculus is developed to study the derivatives of polynomial functions, with simple applications of the derivative to curve sketching, calculating slopes and equations of tangents, determining instantaneous velocities and solving optimisation problems.