M8 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum

This is a quick over view of the topics in the M8 CCEA GCSE Maths curriculum.

M8 is the completion paper and the gateway paper is M4. Read about the M4 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum here.

Buy our M8 CCEA Style Practice Papers here.

M8 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum – Foundation

M8 – this can be sat in January or June and makes up 55% of the overall score. The final grades the can be achieved are A* – D. The exam is made up of 2 papers that are each 1 hour and 15 minutes long. There is a calculator and a calculator paper.

Students should know the curriculum from M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6 and M7 before learning the M8 curriculum.

Learning Outcomes For M8 CCEA GCSE Maths Curriculum:

Number and Algebra
• distinguish between rational and irrational numbers
• change a recurring decimal to a fraction
• use index notation and index laws for integer, fractional and negative powers
• set up, solve and interpret the answers in growth and decay problems, for example use the formula for compound interest
• simplify numerical expressions involving surds, including the rationalisation of the denominator of a fraction such as $$\frac{5}{3\sqrt{2}}$$
• use index laws in algebra for integer, fractional and negative powers
• set up and solve two simultaneous equations, one linear and one non-linear
• recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of exponential functions $$y=k^{x}$$for positive values of k, for example growth and decay rates
• find the intersection points of the graphs of a linear and quadratic function, knowing that these are the approximate solutions of the corresponding simultaneous equations representing the linear and quadratic functions, which may require algebraic manipulation.
• interpret the gradient at a point on a curve as the instantaneous rate of change
• recognise and use the equation of a circle, centre the origin and radius r
• find the equation of a tangent to a circle at a given point on the circle
• set up equations and solve problems involving indirect proportion, including graphical and algebraic representations
Geometry and Measures
• understand and use the sine and cosine rules
• calculate the area of a triangle using $$A=\frac{1}{2}ab\sin C$$
• use Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry to solve 2D and 3D problems
• enlarge 2D shapes using negative scale factors; use the relationship between the ratios of lengths, areas and volumes of similar 3D shapes
Data Handling
• use the most appropriate method when solving complex probability problems
• use tree diagrams to represent successive events that are not independent

Find out more on the CCEA website.