Good A-level mathematics textbooks?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for A-level mathematics textbooks suitable for a course in technical direction in computer animation. Participants share their experiences with various textbooks and resources, expressing a desire for comprehensive materials that cover proofs and deeper mathematical concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions using 'Core Maths for A-Level' (1990 edition) and expresses concern about missing newer material.
  • Another participant suggests a website, mathsnet.net, for example questions, but notes uncertainty about recent changes to A-level modules.
  • A participant recommends the Heinemann series of A-level maths textbooks for Edexcel courses, stating that while modules have changed, the underlying mathematics remains relevant.
  • One participant recalls using OCR course books that were module-specific and highlights their targeted exercises, but notes potential limitations for further maths content.
  • Another participant expresses the need to look beyond amazon.com for complete sets of textbooks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share various recommendations and experiences with different textbooks, indicating a lack of consensus on a single best option. Multiple competing views on the best resources remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention changes in A-level modules and the potential impact on the relevance of certain textbooks. There is also a concern about the completeness of available resources in local bookshops.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing for A-level mathematics, particularly those interested in fields related to computer animation or further mathematics, may find this discussion helpful.

GregA
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I plan to do a 'technical direction in computer animation' course at uni next year for which A-level mathematics is required to enter at year one (was meant to be going this year but can't get funding :frown: )

The textbook 'Core Maths for A-Level' (1990 edition) I'm studying from at the moment has been kindly lent to me by the maths department of my local college. It's an excellent book but I have to give it back soon, and I think I'm missing out on a quite a bit of newer material.

Does anyone know of any damn good textbooks that are worth investing in? I want to have as broad a knowledge as possible not because I feel I have to...but because I enjoy the subject.

(most of the books I see in local bookshops are the kind of revision books that don't deal with proofs, and expect you've already covered the material but need refreshing...I've done a search on amazon.com and the latest version of the book I'm using now is about 200 pages shorter...which worries me a little)
 
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I can suggest I really good website that has good example questions and stuff: http://www.mathsnet.net/asa2/2004/index.html

But in the short time it has been since I've done A-level they've changed all the modules around and I've no idea what's what anymore.
 
I found the Heinemann series of A-level maths textbooks for the Edexcel courses to be really good. The modules have been fiddled with since, but the maths is still the same! :smile:
 
cheers for the help and quick replies folks :smile:
 
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We had the OCR course books (each one specificially for each module) when I did my A-Levels. Back then, they went as far as P1-P4, S1-S4, D1, so if you're looking at further maths you might be caught short, or there may be more now. They're good as they've got targetted exercises too.
 
Cheers James :smile: ...gonna hafta look further afield than amazon.com though cos they don't seem to stock all the books in a set :frown:

if anyone else has any suggestions, please feel free to chip in :biggrin:
 

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