Maths Level 2
Introduction
The Functional skills Qualifications in Mathematics at Level 2 are for learners who want to develop understanding and skills in mathematics. The qualifications give learners the opportunity to:
- Demonstrate a sound grasp of the underpinning skills and basics of mathematical skills appropriate to the level
- Apply mathematical thinking to solve simple problems in familiar situations

Using numbers and the number system – whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages
Learners at Level 2 are expected to be able to use numbers of any size; read, write and make use of positive and negative integers of any size; use, order and compare integers, fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios as well as recognise the value of a digit in any whole or decimal number. They can use numerical and spatial patterns for a purpose and calculate with, and convert between, numbers written as fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios. See below for specific content on numbers and the number system:
- Read, write, order and compare positive and negative numbers of any size
- Carry out calculations with numbers up to one million including strategies to check answers including estimation and approximation
- Evaluate expressions and make substitutions in given formulae in words and symbols
- Identify and know the equivalence between fractions, decimals and percentages
- Work out percentages of amounts and express one amount as a percentage of another
- Calculate percentage change (any size increase and decrease), and original value after percentage change
- Order, add, subtract and compare amounts or quantities using proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Express one number as a fraction of another
- Order, approximate and compare decimals
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to three decimal places
- Understand and calculate using ratios, direct proportion and inverse proportion
- Follow the order of precedence of operators, including indices
Using common measures, shape and space
Learners at Level 2 are expected to be able to handle relationships between measurements of various kinds, use angles and coordinates when involving position and direction and make use of geometric properties in calculations with 2-D and 3-D shapes and understand the relationships between them. See below for specific content on measures, shape and space:
- Calculate amounts of money, compound interest, percentage increases, decreases and discounts including tax and simple budgeting
- Convert between metric and imperial units of length, weight and capacity using a) a conversion factor and b) a conversion graph
- Calculate using compound measures including speed, density and rates of pay
- Calculate perimeters and areas of 2-D shapes including triangles and circles and composite shapes including non-rectangular shapes (formulae given except for triangles and circles)
- Use formulae to find volumes and surface areas of 3-D shapes including cylinders (formulae to be given for 3-D shapes other than cylinders)

- Calculate actual dimensions from scale drawings and create a scale diagram given actual measurements
- Use coordinates in 2-D, positive and negative, to specify the positions of points
- Understand and use common 2-D representations of 3-D objects
- Draw 3-D shapes to include plans and elevations
- Calculate values of angles and/or coordinates with 2-D and 3-D shapes
Handling information and data
Learners at Level 2 are expected to be able to construct, interpret and evaluate a range of statistical diagrams. They can calculate and interpret probabilities. They can calculate, analyse, compare and interpret appropriate data sets, tables, diagrams and statistical measures such as common averages (mean, median, mode) and spread (range), and use statistics to compare sets of data. They can identify patterns and trends from data as well as recognise simple correlation. See below for specific content on information and data.
- Calculate the median and mode of a set of quantities
- Estimate the mean of a grouped frequency distribution from discrete data
- Use the mean, median, mode and range to compare two sets of data
- Work out the probability of combined events including the use of diagrams and tables, including two-way tables
- Express probabilities as fractions, decimals and percentages
- Draw and interpret scatter diagrams and recognise positive and negative correlation
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