Applied Maths
Applied Maths
Applied mathematics is the use of the language of mathematics to study and solve real-world problems.
Applied Mathematics is assessed at two levels, Ordinary level and Higher level.
New course - 2023
80% Exam
20% Project
The modelling project requires students to demonstrate that they can:
Define a problem
Translate the problem to mathematics
Compute a solution
Analyse the solution and iterate the process
There are four strands in Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics: Mathematical modelling, Mathematical modelling with networks and graphs, Mathematically modelling the physical world, and Mathematically modelling a changing world.
Strand 1: Mathematical modelling:
Students learn about:
The problem-solving cycle
Formulating problems
Translating problems into mathematics
Computing solutions
Evaluating solutions
Strand 2: Mathematical modelling with networks and graphs:
Students learn about:
Networks and their associated terminology
Dynamic Programming
Algorithms
Analysis of project scheduling networks
And much more...
Strand 3: Mathematically modelling the physical world:
Students learn about:
Kinematics: Particle motion in one direction.
Particle motion in 2D
Projectile Motion
Forces acting on a particle
Work, energy, conservative forces, conservation of energy and momentum
And much more...
Strand 4: Mathematically modelling a changing world
Students learn to:
Recurrence relations
Real-world phenomena involving incremental change
Analysing real-world phenomena involving continuous change
Why Study Applied Maths
If you are getting good grades in Maths and Physics, you should be capable of getting similar grades in Applied Maths, thus enabling you to increase your points in the Leaving Cert.
There is overlap between some parts of the Leaving Cert Physics course and the Applied Maths course, such as Linear Motion, Newton’s Laws, and Circular Motion. Thus it will also help you to have a deeper understanding of these topics in Physics.
As there is a high maths content in the course, it will also give you a better understanding of some parts of the Honours Maths course – especially Trigonometry, Calculus (Differentiation and Integration) and Vectors.
It is ideal for students who may be weak at other subjects (such as languages), and good at Maths, as they can do honours Applied Maths to increase their points.
Career Paths: This subject builds skills and knowledge that are particularly useful for careers in the following Career Sectors:
What kind of student would applied maths suit?
Students who are studying Leaving Cert higher level Maths. This course also helps students studying physics, due to some overlap in the course content.
Students who need high entry points to get into university. In the last 5 years, on average 1,800 candidates sat the exam at higher level and upwards of one third of students achieved the equivalent of a H1 or H2 grade.
Aside from niche languages such as Latin, Russian, and Japanese, this means that Applied Maths has the highest percentage of H1 grades in the Leaving Cert.