“Differentiation from First Principles” starts by illustrating the difficulty of finding a reliable answer for the gradient at a point on a curve by drawing a tangent to the curve. Pupils compare their answers for the gradient at two points on a cubic graph. The method of approximating the gradient of a chord to the gradient of the tangent at a point is then introduced. Twelve examples are given for pupils to work through (in groups) to find the formula for the gradient at a point on a curve. Hopefully, the connection between the gradient formulae and the original equations will be spotted! “Differentiation from First Principles” (pdf and ppt versions on 19 pages/slides) is FREE to download. If you are interested in some revision exercises for A2 classes on different techniques of differentiation then please have a look at “Calculus: Revision Exercises on Methods of Differentiation”. This extensive resource (available in pdf and ppt versions) contains 124 questions in seven exercises (with answers). “Calculus: Revision Exercises on Methods of Differentiation” can be downloaded from Irby Maths’ Shop for £1.80.

38 questions up to GCSE level on linear equations. The worksheet starts with problems described in words and moves on to questions where the variable is on both sides and fractional equations. Answers included. “Equations Worksheet” (pdf and ppt versions) is FREE to download. My resource Solving Linear Equations - Notes, Examples and Exercises contains notes, worked examples and 115 questions on linear equations in 6 exercises (with answers). This resource (on 24 A4 pages) is suitable for the beginner and goes up to GCSE level. Solving Linear Equations - Notes, Examples and Exercises can be downloaded from Irby Maths’ Shop for £1.80.

“A Statistical Investigation of the Wood Mouse Population at a Farm” can be used as an activity for up to 8 groups of KS3 pupils. No real wood mice are used in this activity! It’s a modelling exercise using dice. Each group is given data about the masses of wood mice at one of eight farms. A sample of this population is taken randomly by rolling a die. The range, median, mode and mean mass of the wood mice are calculated for the sample and then compared to the values for the whole population at that farm. Masses of the wood mice at each of the eight farms are given in the Wood Mouse Investigation Data Cards pdf. This activity is useful in promoting discussion about sampling and the use and misuse of surveys in everyday life. The download contains three pdfs: the Pupil Sheet pdf, the Teaching Notes pdf and the Wood Mouse Investigation Data Cards pdf (a total of 11 pages).

“General Arithmetic Test” contains a mixture of questions on fractions, decimals, whole numbers, percentages and metric units. There is space below each question for working out the answer. This non-calculator test of 30 questions up to GCSE level is FREE to download. Answers included. This free test is similar to two of the tests in my resource entitled Six Non-Calculator Tests - Number which you may like. This set of six non-calculator tests on 20 A4 pages contains two general arithmetic tests, a test on fractions, a test on decimals, a test on percentages and a test on indices and standard form. Answers included. Six Non-Calculator Tests - Number can be downloaded from Irby Maths’ Shop for £1.50.