The information on this page explains what you will need to understand to be at Level 1 in Functional Skills for Mathematics.
- Read, write, order and compare large numbers (up to one million)
- Recognise and use positive and negative numbers
- Multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100, 1000
- Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts
- Use simple formulae expressed in words for one or two-step operations
- Calculate the squares of one-digit and two-digit numbers
- Follow the order of precedence of operators
- Read, write, order and compare common fractions and mixed numbers
- Find fractions of whole number quantities or measurements
- Read, write, order and compare decimals up to three decimal places
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to two decimal places
- Approximate by rounding to a whole number or to one or two decimal places
- Read, write, order and compare percentages in whole numbers
- Calculate percentages of quantities, including simple percentage increases and decreases by 5% and multiples thereof
- Estimate answers to calculations using fractions and decimals
- Recognise and calculate equivalences between common fractions, percentages and decimals
- Work with simple ratio and direct proportions
- Calculate simple interest in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
- Calculate discounts in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
- Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
- Recognise and make use of simple scales on maps and drawings
- Calculate the area and perimeter of simple shapes including those that are made up of a combination of rectangles
- Calculate the volumes of cubes and cuboids
- Draw 2-D shapes and demonstrate an understanding of line symmetry and knowledge of the relative size of angles
- Interpret plans, elevations and nets of simple 3-D shapes
- Use angles when describing position and direction, and measure angles in degrees
- Represent discrete data in tables, diagrams and charts including pie charts, bar charts and line graphs
- Group discrete data and represent grouped data graphically
- Find the mean and range of a set of quantities
- Understand probability on a scale from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain) and use probabilities to compare the likelihood of events
- Use equally likely outcomes to find the probabilities of simple events and express them as fractions
In addition, at Level 1, you should be able to:
- Read, understand and use mathematical information and mathematical terms used at this level
- Address individual problems as described above
- Use knowledge and understanding to a required level of accuracy
- Analyse and interpret answers in the context of the original problem
- Check the sense, and reasonableness, of answers
- Present results with appropriate explanation and interpretation demonstrating simple reasoning to support the process and show consistency with the evidence presented.