In this resource from the DfE Standards Unit, students find the stationary points of a cubic function, determine the nature of these stationary points and to discuss and understand these processes.Students should have some knowledge of differentiation of polynomials, finding stationary points of a quadratic...

The mathematical solution explains how to find the minimum value and sketch the curve of y = 4x² + 12x + 10. The first method uses calculus, differentiating the function and equating the differential to zero. The resulting equation is solved to find the x value of the minimum point. This value is then...

This resource from Ofsted is a full report and summary of the findings from a visit, in September 2009, made by two of Her Majesty's Inspectors to educational establishments in Finland. Evidence was gathered from three schools and a university from each of three towns about the factors that contributed to Finnish...

In this Core Maths activity students are asked to play a ‘ladder game’ in order to improve decision making and explore probability theory.

Fitting Numbers: Overview
This teacher guidance contains a range of information including prior student knowledge, suggested approaches and possible...

Countries charge for planes to fly through their airspace even if the plane does not land. Different countries levy different charges, therefore plane companies consider a number of different routes and calculate the associated charges with each route. The formula used to fly over Europe is considered and an...

The network flow problem involves finding the optimum route through a flow network; a directed graph where each arc has a capacity and each arc receives a flow. Typical examples include: evacuation plans and delivery services. The problem involves students analysing the plan of a school canteen and deciding whether...

This poster describes four people in four different companies who all work together to produce an innovative flood defence system. To manufacture the produce requires the collaboration of designers, engineers, materials...

The everyday context of food serves as a vehicle for engaging learners in exploring the mathematical ideas of ratios, percentages, fractions, and pie charts which are useful in their vocational areas. Students are asked to agree the main food groups that might be suitable for a healthy diet and then represent the...

This series of interactive excel sheets look the forces within strings.

The first sheet shows an adjustable mass hanging on an inextensible string, and demonstrates the fact that the tension is equal to the weight....

This resource, from Mathematics for Engineering Exemplars, shows the application of mathematics within the mechanical and electrical engineering power industry. Here students learn how statistical models are used to set alarms which detect changes in vibration above normal values. The alarms highlight that...