GCSE Maths: Number Skills In the GCSE Mathematics curriculum, the Number topic covers a wide range of fundamental numerical skills that lay the foundation for h...
GCSE Maths: Number Skills
In the GCSE Mathematics curriculum, the Number topic covers a wide range of fundamental numerical skills that lay the foundation for higher-level mathematics. This includes:
Types of Numbers: Natural numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers, real numbers
Arithmetic Operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, order of operations (BODMAS)
Fractions: Equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, operations with fractions
Decimals: Converting between decimals and fractions, rounding, operations with decimals
Percentages: Converting between percentages, fractions, and decimals, percentage increase/decrease
Ratio and Proportion: Simplifying ratios, sharing in a ratio, direct and inverse proportion
Powers and Roots: Laws of indices, simplifying expressions with indices, square and cube roots
Standard Form: Converting between standard and ordinary form
Rounding and Estimation: Rounding to decimal places and significant figures, estimating calculations
Bounds: Upper and lower bounds of measurements and calculations
HCF and LCM: Finding the highest common factor and lowest common multiple of numbers
Prime Factorisation: Expressing a number as a product of its prime factors
Introduction to Surds: Simplifying surds and performing basic operations
Worked Example: Percentage Increase
Problem: A shirt originally cost £20. In a sale, the price was increased by 25%. Calculate the new price.
Solution:
Original price = £20
Percentage increase = 25%
Amount of increase = 25% of £20 = 0.25 × £20 = £5
New price = Original price + Amount of increase = £20 + £5 = £25
Mastering these number skills is crucial for success in GCSE Mathematics and lays the groundwork for further study in mathematics and related subjects.