Advanced Maths AS Core for OCR
These books are part of a series by Longman to cover the new OCR, Edexcel and AQA 2004 syllabi. These books both cover the two pure AS Core units C1 and C2.
The layout of the books is identical. Each chapters opens with an introduction and a set of objectives. There is then a brief outline of a key concept, followed by a set of worked examples and then a short exercise - the longer sections have two or three of these exercises sandwiched between more worked examples. Each chapter is divided into between 3 and 9 of these sections. Each chapter then closes with a longer review exercise and a list of key points. For each unit there are two exam practice questions, one in the middle and the other at the end of the unit and a sample exam paper.
The added bonus is that a CD-Rom is included.
The CD has a set of pdf files that contain access exercises, extra worked examples, extension exercises and a test yourself section for all the chapters in the book. These are all printable but not photocopiable, so each student will need a copy of the textbook and CD-ROM.
These are all excellent in themselves; however, the best part of the CD is that it includes full worked examples of the examination papers using the Liveplayer software. This provides a ‘whiteboard-like’ screen where the solutions appear with a tutor’s voice clearly explaining each step This will be a great help to those students who are aural learners.
The book comes complete with answers, a useful four-page glossary and an index.
The books are virtually identical - the primary difference is in the exam practice questions and the sample exam papers, questions are included from the respective examination boards. The other small difference is that some of the chapters swap postitions. For example, Integration in the OCR book is in the C2 section whereas for the Edexcel book it is in the C1 section; Coordinate geometry appears in C1 for the OCR book and in C2 for Edexcel book. The Edexcel book also has a short three-page chapter on proof which is omitted in the OCR book.
Each book is tailor made for the different syllabi; consequently, each would make an ideal textbook for all those following these syllabi. The OCR book is geared to the main OCR syllabus and not the OCR MEI syllabus although the Longman website has a matrix that maps the book to the OCR MEI syllabus.
The inclusion of the CD is an added advantage and will make the books even more attractive and flexible and gives them the edge over most of the textbooks currently available.
<< CD-ROM accompanying this book reviewed
Steve Bishop, Maths Lecturer, City of Bristol College
Pearson Longman, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2JE Tel: 0800 579 579
Longman Advanced Maths: Rosemary Emaneul, John Wood and Janet Crawshaw
Advanced Maths AS Core for Edexcel - 0 582 84237 9 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths A2 Core for Edexcel - 0 582 84236 0 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths AS Core for OCR - 0 582 84235 2 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths A2 Core for OCR - 0 582 84234 4 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths AS Core for AQA - 0 582 84631 5 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths A2 Core for AQA - 0 582 84240 9 - Pbk - 416pp - £16.99
Advanced Maths AS Core Teacher Support CD - 0 582 84239 5 - £50.00+VAT
Advanced Maths A2 Core Teacher Support CD - 0 582 84238 7 - £50.00+VAT
<< Matrix mapping book to the OCR MEI syllabus
Review Sections
See also
