# M3 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum

This is a quick over view of the topics in the M3 CCEA GCSE Maths curriculum.

M3 is the gateway paper and the completion paper is M7. Read about the M7 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum here.

Buy our M3 CCEA Style Practice Papers here.

## M3 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum – Foundation

M3 – this can be sat in January or June and makes up 45% of the overall score. The final grades the can be achieved are B – E. The exam is 2 hours long and students can use a calculator.

Students should learn the M1 nd M2 curriculum before starting M3.

#### Learning Outcomes For M3 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum:

##### Number and Algebra
• find the least common multiples (LCM) and highest common factor (HCF) of numbers written as the product of their prime factors
• find the original quantity, given the result of a proportional change
• calculate the upper and lower bounds in calculations involving addition and multiplication of numbers expressed to a given degree of accuracy
• know the difference between an equation and an identity
• multiply two linear expressions
• factorise quadratic expressions of the form: $$x^{2}+bx+c$$
• factorise using the difference of two squares
• add or subtract algebraic fractions, for example simplify: $$\frac{4x+3}{10}+\frac{6x-5}{5}$$
• simplify, multiply and divide algebraic fractions with linear or quadratic numerators and denominators
• set up and solve linear equations of the form: $$\frac{4x+3}{10}+\frac{6x-5}{5}=\frac{13}{2}$$
• set up and solve quadratic equations using factors
• understand that the form y = mx + c represents a straight line and that m is the gradient of the line and c is the value of the y – intercept
• find the equation of a line through two given points or through one point with a given gradient
• understand and use the gradients of parallel lines
##### Geometry and Measures
• identify and apply circle definitions and properties, including tangent, arc, sector and segment
• use compound measures or units such as pressure
• solve mensuration problems that involve arc length and area of sector, surface area of a cylinder and volume and surface area of a cone and sphere; understand and use the trigonometric ratios of sine, cosine and tangent to solve 2D problems, including those involving angles of elevation and depression
##### Data Handling
• calculate quartiles and interquartile range from a list of values and understand their uses
• construct and interpret cumulative frequency tables and the cumulative frequency curve
• estimate the median, quartiles and interquartile range from a cumulative frequency curve and display information using box plots
• infer properties of populations or distributions from a sample and know the limitations of doing so

Find out more on the CCEA website.