Mars

Mars class looked at fractions and percentages of amounts, including converting between fractions, decimal and percentages. This was a rather short block of learning and finished just in time for their trip to PGL. The next couple of weeks we will be learning about simplifying expressions and solving equations with directed numbers. The group can find algebraic topics challenging, so we are going to complete this unit slowly to ensure they have the skills required in algebra to advance toward the Year 8 curriculum.

Mercury

Mercury class finished off their work with indices by exploring how to solve problems with an exponent raised to another exponent. They have now moved onto a unit on Fractions and Percentages. This includes both converting between the different types of numbers and calculating percent increase, decrease and percentage change. These are all skills utilised in industry and as a consumer of products, looking for the best discount and rate.

Aisha earns £35000 a year. Her boss offers her a pay rise of 6% a year, but a rival employer offers to pay her £180 more per month.

Which offer should she accept to get the most money?

Saturn and Neptune

Saturn and Neptune completed their work on money problems by solving both ‘best buy’ questions and calculating simple and compound interest. The groups then moved onto deductive reasoning. This skill, although rather challenging, is a key aspect of mathematical thinking and reasoning. They are becoming quite adept at proving, or disproving, suppositions. 

 

 

 

 

GCSE Maths 

This term there was a focus on Algebra and algebraic thinking. We completed solving complex equations and then focused on indices and surds. The term will finish with a look at Probability. The key takeaway from this term should be that the working out shown should match the thinking process used to solve the problem.