GCSE Further Maths Specification

AQA 8365

Section 4: Calculus

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#4.1

Know that the gradient function \(\dfrac{dy}{dx} \) gives the gradient of the curve and measures the rate of change of \(y\) with respect to \(x\)

#4.2

Know that the gradient of a function is the gradient of the tangent at that point

#4.3

Differentiation of \(kx^n \) where \(n\) is an integer, and the sum of such functions

Including expressions which need to be simplified first

Given \(y = (3x+2)(x-3) \) work out \(\dfrac{dy}{dx} \)

Given \(y = \dfrac{5}{x^3} \) work out \(\dfrac{dy}{dx} \)

#4.4

The equation of a tangent and normal at any point on a curve

#4.5

Increasing and decreasing functions

When the gradient is positive/negative a function is described as an increasing/decreasing function

#4.6

Understand and use the notation \(\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} \)

Know that \(\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} \)  measures the rate of change of the gradient function

#4.7

Use of differentiation to find maxima and minima points on a curve

Determine the nature either by using increasing and decreasing functions or \(\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} \)

#4.8

Using calculus to find maxima and minima in simple problems

\(V = 49x + \dfrac{81}{x} \quad x > 0 \)

Use calculus to show that \(V\) has a minimum value and work out the minimum value of \(V\)

#4.9

Sketch/interpret a curve with known maximum and minimum points