Mathematics IGCSE notes

Index

1. Decimals and standard form

2. Accuracy and Error
3. Powers and roots
click on a topic to
4. Ratio & proportion visit the notes
5. Fractions, ratios
6. Percentages
7. Rational and irrational numbers
8. Algebra: simplifying and factorising
9. Equations: linear, quadratic, simultaneous
10. Rearranging formulae
11. Inequalities
12. Parallel lines, bearings, polygons
13. Areas and volumes, similarity
14. Trigonometry
15. Circles
16. Similar triangles, congruent triangles
17. Transformations
18. Loci and ruler and compass constructions
19. Vectors
20. Straight line graphs
21. More graphs
22. Distance, velocity graphs
23. Sequences; trial and improvement
24. Graphical transformations
25. Probability
26. Statistical calculations, diagrams, data collection
27. Functions
28. Calculus
29. Sets

{also use the intranet revision course of question papers and answers by topic }
1. Decimals and standard form top

(a) multiplying and dividing

(i) 2.5 × 1.36 Move the decimal points to the right until each is a whole
number, noting the total number of moves, perform the multiplication, then

→ 25 × 136 = 3400 , so the answer is 3.4

move the decimal point back by the previous total:

{Note in the previous example, that transferring a factor of 2, or even better,

25 × 136 = 25 × (4 × 34) = (25 × 4) × 34 = 100 × 34 = 3400 }

4, from the 136 to the 25 makes it easier:

(ii) 0.00175 ÷ 0.042 Move both decimal points together to the right until the

→ 1.75 ÷ 42 , but simplify the calculation by cancelling down any factors first.
divisor is a whole number, perform the calculation, and that is the answer.

In this case, both numbers share a 7, so divide this out: → 0.25 ÷ 6 , and
0.0416
6 0.25 , so the answer is 0.0416

(iii) decimal places

the digit following the nth is ≥ 5 , then the nth digit is raised by 1.
To round a number to n d.p., count n digits to the right of the decimal point. If

e.g. round 3.012678 to 3 d.p. 3.012678 → 3.012|678 so 3.013 to 3 d.p.

(iv) significant figures

To round a number to n s.f., count digits from the left starting with the first

e.g. round 3109.85 to 3 s.f., 3109.85 → 310|9.85 so 3110 to 3 s.f.

non-zero digit, then proceed as for decimal places.

e.g. round 0.0030162 to 3 s.f., 0.0030162 → 0.00301|62 , so 0.00302 to 3 s.f.

(b) standard form

Move the decimal point until you have a number x where 1 ≤ x < 10 , and the
(iii) Convert the following to standard form: (a) 25 000 (b) 0.0000123

power of 10. So 25000 = 2.5 × 104 , and 0.0000123 = 1.23 × 10−5

number of places you moved the point will indicate the numerical value of the

(iv) multiplying in standard form: (4.4 × 105 ) × ( 3.5 × 106 ) As all the

= (4.4 × 3.5) × (105 × 106 )

elements are multiplied, rearrange them thus:
= 15.4 × 1011 = 1.54 × 1012

2
 3.2 × 1012
2.5 × 103
(v) dividing in standard form: Again, rearrange the calculation to

(3.2 ÷ 2.5) × (1012 ÷ 103 ) = 1.28 × 10 9

(vi) adding/subtracting in standard form: (2.5 × 106 ) + (3.75 × 107 ) The

hardest of the calculations. Convert both numbers into the same denomination,
i.e. in this case 106 or 107, then add.
= (0.25 × 107 ) + (3.75 × 107 ) = 4 × 107

Questions

(a) 2.54 × 1.5

(b) 2.55 ÷ 0.015

(c) Convert into standard form and multiply: 25 000 000 × 0.000 000 000 24

(d) (2.6 × 103 ) ÷ (2 × 10−2 )

(e) (1.55 × 10 −3 ) − ( 2.5 × 10−4 )

Answers

(a) → 254 × 15 = 3810 , so 2.54 × 1.5 = 3.81

(b) 2.55 ÷ 0.015 = 2550 ÷ 15 . Notice a factor of 5, so let’s cancel it first:

= 510 ÷ 3 = 170

(c) = (2.5 × 107 ) × (2.4 × 10−10 ) = 6 × 10−3

(d) = (2.6 ÷ 2) × (103 ÷ 10−2 ) = 1.3 × 105

(e) = (1.55 × 10−3 ) − (0.25 × 10−3 ) = 1.3 × 10−3

3
2. Accuracy and Error top

To see how error can accumulate when using rounded values in a calculation,
take the worst case each way: e.g. this rectangular space is
measured as 5m by 3m, each measurement being to the nearest 3m
metre. What is the area of the rectangle? 5m

To find how small the area could be, consider the lower bounds of the two

2.5m. So the smallest possible area is 4.5 × 2.5 = 11.25 m2. Now, the length
measurements: the length could be as low as 4.5m and the width as low as

could be anything up to 5.5m but not including the value 5.5m itself (which
would be rounded up to 6m) So the best way to deal with this is to use the

5.5 × 3.5 = 19.25 m2, which the area could get infinitely close to, but not equal
(unattainable) upper bounds and get a ceiling for the area as

to. Then these two facts can be expressed as 11.25m2 ≤ area < 19.25m2.

Questions

(a) A gold block in the shape of as cuboid measures 2.5cm by 5.0cm by

20.0cm, each to the nearest 0.1cm. What is the volume of the block?

(b) A runner runs 100m, measured to the nearest metre, in 12s, measured to
the nearest second. What is the speed of the runner?

(c) a = 3.0, b = 2.5 , both measured to 2 s.f. What are the possible value of
a−b ?

Answers

(a) lower bound volume = 2.45 × 4.95 × 19.95 = 241.943625 cm3.

upper bound volume = 2.55 × 5.05 × 20.05 = 258.193875 cm3.
So 241.943625cm3 ≤ volume<258.193875cm3

distance
(b) Since speed = , for the lower bound we need to take the smallest
time
value of distance with the biggest value of time, and vice-versa for the upper
bound.
< speed <
99.5 100.5
So , i.e. 7.96ms-1 < speed < 8.739…ms-1
12.5 11.5

(c) for the smallest value of a − b , we need to take the smallest value of a

So 2.95 − 2.55 < a − b < 3.05 − 2.45 , i.e. 0.4 < a − b < 0.6
together with the biggest value of b, etc.

4
3. Powers and roots top

1) x a × x b = x a + b
2) x a ÷ x b = x a −b
3) ( x a )b = x ab
4) x − a = a
1

5) x = 1
x
0

(a) whole number powers

25 × 32 cannot be simplified any further.

Note that the base numbers (x’s) have to be the same;

1) e.g. x 3 × x 2 = x 5 , 23 × 27 = 210
If in doubt, write the powers out in full: a 3 × a 2 means
( a × a × a ) × ( a × a) which is a 5

2) x 6 ÷ x 2 = x 4 , 58 ÷ 52 = 56

a×a×a×a×a×a
Again, if in doubt, spell it out:
a 6 ÷ a 2 means
a×a
which cancels down to
a × a × a × a × a/ × a/
= a4
a/ × a/

3) ( x 3 ) 2 = x 6 , (32 ) 4 = 38
To check this, ( x 3 ) 2 means ( x 3 ) × ( x 3 ) which is x 6

4) x −3 = 10−3 = = = 0.001
1 1 1
,
x3 3
10 1000

5) 100 = 1 .

5
 Questions

Simplify the following as far as possible:

(a) x 5 × x 3

(b) a 3 ÷ a 5 × a 6

34 × 37
3 ×3
(c) 5

25 × 410
86 ÷ 43
(d)

Answers

(a) x 5 × x 3 = x 5+ 3 = x8

(b) a 3 ÷ a 5 × a 6 = a 3−5+ 6 = a 4

34 × 37 34+ 7
= = = 311− 6 = 35
311
3 ×3 5+1
(c) 5 6
3 3

25 × 410 25 × (22 )10 25 × 220

= = = = 213
225
86 ÷ 43 (23 )6 ÷ (22 )3 218 ÷ 26
(d)
212

(b) fractional powers

6) x n = n x
1

7) x = x p = ( x ) p
p
q q q

6) e.g. x 3 = 3 x , 92 = 9 = 3
1 1

7) 27 = ( 3 27) 2 = (3)2 = 9
2
3

q
Note: if you can find the qth root of x easily then it’s better to use the ( x ) p version.

6
Q. Simplify the following as far as possible:

1
2
(a) 16

1
(b) 64 3

3
(c) 4 2

3
(d) 81 4

2
(e) ( x 6 ) 3

Answers.

(a) 16 2 = 16 = 4
1

(b) 64 3 = 64 = 4
1
3

(c) 4 2 = ( 4)3 = (2)3 = 8

3

(d) 81 4 = ( 4 81)3 = (3)3 = 27

3

(e) easier to use power law (3) above: ( x 6 ) 3 = x = x4

6×
2 2
3

7
 top
4. Ratio and Proportion

(a) Using ratios

This is really a special case of proportion. If quantities are linearly related,
either directly or inversely, (like number of workers and time taken to do a job),
calculate by multiplying by a ratio:

e.g. If 8 workers can together do a job in 6 days, how long would the same job take
with 12 workers?
ans: it will take less time, so we multiply by the ratio 128 . So it takes
6 × 128 = 4 days.

e.g. If a workforce of 20 can produce 12 cars in 15 days, how many workers

× 10
should be used if 15 cars are needed in 10 days?
15 15
ans: no. of workers = 20× 12 = 37 12 , ie 38.

(b) Proportion

Where quantities are related not necessarily linearly.

(i) Direct proportion

y ∝ x 2 , and you are given that y is 7.2 when x is 6.

This is when an increase in one quantity causes an increase in the other.
eg
Rewrite as y = kx 2 , and substitute the given values to find k:
7.2 = k × 6 2 , so
k = 0.2 . The relationship can now be written as
y = 0.2 x 2 , and any problems solved.

(ii) Inverse proportion

This is when an increase in one quantity causes an decrease in the other.
e.g. If y is inversely proportional to the cube of x,
y∝ 3
1
then
x
y = 3 , and proceed as usual.
k
Rewrite as
x

(iii) Multiplier method

For the cunning, it is possible (but harder) to solve a problem without calculating k.
e.g. Radiation varies inversely as the square of the distance away from the source. In
suitable units, the radiation at 10m away from the source is 75. What is the radiation
at 50m away?

so the radiation is 75 ÷ 25 = 3.
ans: as distance increases by a factor of 5, radiation must decrease by a factor of 52 ,

8
Questions.

(a) Water needs to be removed from an underground chamber before work can
commence. When the water was at a depth of 3m, five suction pipes were used and
emptied the chamber in 4 hours. If the water is now at a depth of 5m (same cross-
section), and you want to empty the chamber in 10 hours time, how many pipes need
to be used?

(b) y is proportional to x 2 and when x is 5 y is 6. Find

(i) y when x is 25 (ii) x when y is 8.64

(c) The time t seconds taken for an object to travel a certain distance from rest is
inversely proportional to the square root of the acceleration a. When a is 4m/s2, t is
2s.
What is the value of a if the time taken is 5 seconds?

Answers

(a) No. of pipes = 5 × ×

5 4
= 3 13 , so it would be necessary to use 4 pipes to be sure
3 10
of emptying within 10 hours.

y ∝ x2
y = kx 2
(b) and we know when x is 5, y is 6, so

6 = k × 52 , so k = 6
, and we can write the relationship as
y=
25
6
x2 .
(i) When x is 25, y = × 252 = 150 .
25
6

(ii) When y is 8.64, 8.64 = 256 x 2 , so

25

25 × 8.64
x2 = no, don’t reach for the calculator yet!
6

x 2 = 25 × 1.44 , so x = 5 ×1.2 = 6 .

(c) t ∝
1
,
a
So t =
k
. Substituting given values:
a
2= , so k = 4 , ie
k
4
t=
4
.
a
When t = 5, 5 = , so a = , and a =
4 4 16
or 0.64 m/s2.
a 5 25

9
5. Fractions and ratios top

(a) Fractions

(i) Adding/subtracting: e.g. 3 − 1 . Convert to vulgar form first: − ,

1 2 19 5
6 3 6 3

19 5 19 − 2 × 5
then find the lowest common denominator, in this case 6. Then
− = = = 1 .
9 1
6 3 6 6 2

(ii) Multiplying/dividing: e.g. 5 × . Convert to vulgar form: × , and

1 7 16 7
3 8 3 8
then always cancel any factor in the numerator with a factor in the
denominator if possible, before multiplying together:
// 7 2× 7
× = ×1 = =
2
16 7 16 14
8/ 3 ×1
.

To divide, turn the ÷ into a × and invert the second fraction.

3 8 3 3

3
(iii) Converting to and from decimals: e.g. what is as a decimal?
40
0.075
3
40 3.000 so is 0.075.
40
75 3
But what is 0.075 as a fraction? 0.075 means , then cancel down to .
1000 40

(b) Ratios

(iv) To divide a quantity into 3 parts in the ratio 3: 4:5, call the divisions 3
parts, 4 parts and 5 parts. There are 12 parts altogether, so find 1 part, and
hence the 3 portions.

(v) To find the ratio of several quantities, express in the same units then cancel
or multiply up until in lowest terms e.g. what is the ratio of 3.0m to 2.25m to
75cm?
Perhaps metres is the best unit to use here, so the ratio is 3 :2.25: 0.75.
Multiplying up by 4 (or 100 if you really insist) will render all numbers
integer. So the ratio is 12 : 9 : 3, and we can now cancel down to 4:3:1

10
Questions

(a) (2 ) 2 × 1
3 5
4 11
(b) (1 − ) ÷ 2
1 3 1
3 5 5

(c) What is 0.0875 as a fraction in lowest terms?

(d) Split £5000 in the ratio of 1:2:5

Answers

/ / / 116
//
(a) = ( )2 × = × = ×1 = 11
11
11 16 121 16 121
4 11 16 11 1
//
16 //
11

5 × 4 − 3× 3 5
(b) = ( − ) ÷ = × = × =
4 3 11 11 5 1
3 5 5 15 11 15 11 3

(c) = = =
875 35 7
10 000 400 80

£5000 ÷ 8 = £625 , so the

(d) 1:2:5 means 8 parts altogether. Each part is £5000
£5000 splits into £625, £1250, and £3125.

11
6. Percentages top

(i) What is 75g as a percentage of 6kg? Express as a fraction, then multiply by

75
100 to covert to a percentage. As a fraction, it is , which is
6000
× 100% = % = 1 %.
75 75 1
6000 60 4

(ii) Find 23% of 3.2kg. This is

× 3.2kg = × 3200g = 23 × 32g = 736g (or 0.736kg.)
23 23
100 100

(iii) Increase £20 by 12%. The original amount is always regarded as 100%,
and this problem wants to find 112%. The simplest method is to first find 1%,
then 112%, by dividing by 100 then multiplying by 112. This can be
112
accomplished in one go, however, by multiplying by , i.e. 1.12.
So the answer is £20 × 1.12 = £22.40 .
100

original, so the answer is £20 × 0.88 = £17.60 .

(iv) Decrease £20 by 12%. This means we are trying to find 88% of the

(v) Reverse problems: An investment is worth £6000 after increasing by 20%

in a year: how much was it worth last year? If you are going to make a
mistake, this is where. The 20% refers to 20% of the original amount which
we don’t know, not 20% of £6000. A safe way of handling these “reverse”
problems is to call the unknown original amount £x. The information says that
£ x ×1.2 = £6000 so x = = 5000 .
6000
1.2

(vi) Anything weird, and use the simple unitary method, i.e. find what is 1%.
e.g. A coke can advertises 15% extra free, and contains 368ml. How much
extra coke was there?

368 ÷ 115 = 3.2 ml.

This can contains 115% of the original, so 1% is 15%

So the extra amount, 15%, is 15 × 3.2 = 48 ml.

extra
free

12
Questions

(a) One part of a company produces £350 000 profit, while the whole
company makes £5.6 million. What percentage of the whole company’s profits
does this part produce?

(b) How much VAT at 17½% is added to a basic price of £25?

(c) An investment earns 8% interest every year. My account has £27000 this
year. How much is contained in my account (i) next year (ii) in ten years’ time
(iii) last year?

(d) Inflation runs at 4% per year in Toyland. Big Ears can buy 24 toadstools
for £1 this year. How many will he be able to buy for £1 in 5 years’ time?

Answers

× 100% = 6 %
350 000 1
(a)
5600 000 4

× 25 = × 25 = £4.38
17 12 175
(b) 17½% of £25 is
100 1000

(c) (i) £27000 × 1.08 = £29160

(ii) £27000 × 1.0810 = £58290.97
(iii) £ x × 1.08 = £27000 x=
27000
, so it was worth £25000.
1.08

(d) Inflation at 4% per year means that if you pay £100 for some goods this

toadstools will cost £1× 1.045 = £1.2166529... in 5 years’ time, and so £1 will
year, the same goods will cost you £104 in next years’ money. So 24

buy him 24 ×
1
, i.e. 19.7… or 19 whole toadstools!
1.2166529...

13
7. Rational and irrational numbers top

a
A rational number is one which can be expressed as where a and b are
b
integers. An irrational number is one which can’t. Fractions, integers, and
2
recurring decimals are rational. Examples of rationals: , 1, 0.25, 3 8 .

Examples of irrationals: π , 2, 0.1234.... (not recurring).

3

a
(i) Converting rationals to the form (to confirm they really are rational)
b
A terminating decimal: 0.125 = =
125 1

A recurring decimal: 0.123 . Call the number x, so x = 0.123123123......

1000 8

again: 1000 x = 123.123123..... = 123 + 0.123123....

Multiply by a suitable power of 10 so the recurring decimal appears exactly

so 1000 x = 123 + x , then 999 x = 123 and x = =

123 41
.
999 333

(ii) rationalising a denominator:

2
3 has a 3 in the denominator, so multiply top and bottom by 3 (which
3
does not change the value of the expression, only the shape):

× = 3 = 6.
2 3 6
3
3 3 3
(iii) a b = ab

=
a a
b b

and the same with cube roots, etc.

To simplify expressions using these:

200 = 100 × 2 = 100 × 2 = 10 2

= = 9 = 3
18 18
2 2

(iv) Finding irrational numbers in a given area:

e.g. find an irrational number between 5 and 6. Note that most square roots

, etc) are irrational, so as 5 = 25 and

4
are irrational (except for 16,

6 = 36 , pick a root in between, e.g. 28 . (Or say π + 2 for example).

9

14
Questions

a i i
(a) Convert into the form : (i) 0.375 (ii) 0.36
b
6 50 3
(b) Simplify (i) (ii) (iii) 72 (iv) 250
2 2
(c) Find an irrational number between 1 and 1.1

Answers

(a) (i) 0.375 = = (ii) x = 0.36363636...... so 100 x = 36.363636.....

375 3
1000 8
= 36 + 0.363636 = 36 + x . Therefore 99 x = 36 , so x = =
36 4
99 11

(b) (i) = × = = 3 2
6 2 6 2
2 2 2

(ii) = = 25 = 5
50
2

(iii) 72 = 36 × 2 = 36 × 2 = 6 2

(iv) = 3 125 × 2 = 3 125 × 3 2 = 5 3 2

2 − 0.3,
101
(c) e.g. etc
10

15
8. Algebra: top

(a) Simplifying

3 x( x + 2 y ) − 2 y (3 x − y ) = 3 x 2 + 6 xy − 6 xy + 2 y 2 = 3 x 2 + 2 y 2
Multiply out brackets and gather up like terms: e.g.

(b) Factorising

(i) extracting the highest common factor: 6 x 2 − 3xy = 3 x(2 x − y )

(multiply out the answer to check)

(ii) quadratics:

(a) x 2 − 2 x (no number term): = x ( x − 2)

(b) x 2 − 16 (no x term): if it is difference of two squares as in this case:

= ( x − 4)( x + 4)

(c) x 2 − 3 x − 4 ( a full quadratic): start with ( x )( x ) form, then look for

two numbers which multiply to give −4 and add to give −3 . These are −4
and +1. So ( x − 4)( x + 1) is the answer. (multiply out the answer to check!)

(d) 2 x 2 + 9 x + 4 (full quadratic with more than one x2): multiply the 2 by the 4
to get 8, and repeat the previous process i.e. look for two numbers which
multiply to 8 and add up to 9. These are +8 and+1. Now split the middle term

2 x 2 + 9 x + 4 = 2 x 2 + 8 x + x + 4 = (2 x 2 + 8 x) + ( x + 4) Then factorise each

accordingly and group into 2 pairs:

group, = 2 x ( x + 4) + ( x + 4) , and notice the bracket factor which you now

extract: = ( x + 4)(2 x + 1) .

ab + ac − b 2 − bc may be able to be factorised even though there are

(iii) grouping: unusual, but reminiscent of part of (d) above, expressions like

apparently no common factors. = (ab + ac) − (b 2 + bc) = a(b + c) − b(b + c) ,

and there just happens to be a big factor: = (b + c )( a − b)

16
Questions

(a) Simplify a (b − c ) + b(c − a ) + c ( a − b)

(b) Factorise (i) 4 p 2 q − 6 pq (ii) 2 x 2 + 6 x (iii) 4 x 2 − 1

(iv) x 2 + 10 x + 21 (v) 3 x 2 + 11x + 6 (vi) 2ab − 6ac + b − 3c

Answers

(a) = ab − ac + bc − ab + ac − bc = 0

(b) (i) = 2 pq (2 p − 3) (ii) = 2 x ( x + 3) (iii) = (2 x − 1)(2 x + 1)

(iv) = ( x + 7)( x + 3) (v) 3 × 6 gives 18, so 9 and 2 are the required numbers:
3 x 2 + 9 x + 2 x + 6 = (3x 2 + 9 x) + (2 x + 6) = 3 x( x + 3) + 2( x + 3) and finally
= (3 x + 2)( x + 3) .
(vi) = 2a (b − 3c ) + (b − 3c ) = (2a + 1)(b − 3c )

17
9. Equations: linear, quadratic, simultaneous top

(a) Linear

Perform the same operation on both sides to isolate x:

+x= [ ×6 ]
2x 1

4x + 6x = 3
3 2

10 x = 3 [ ÷10 ]
x=
3
.
10

(b) Quadratic

(i) rearrange the equation if necessary to get 0 on the right.

(2 x − 1)( x + 3) = 0 means one of the brackets must be 0, so

If it can be factorised, do so (see 8. Algebra). Then:

2 x − 1 = 0 or x + 3 = 0 , which can be solved to give

x = , −3
1
2
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
If not, use x = and round the answers suitably.
2a

(c) Simultaneous

2 linear equations:

(i) elimination

Multiply both equations until either the x’s or the y’s are the same then

2x − y = 7
add/subtract so that they disappear.

3x + 2 y = 5
multiply equation 1 by 2, then add:

4 x − 2 y = 14
3x + 2 y = 5
7 x = 19
solve and substitute back in to equation 1 to find y.

(ii) substitution

2x − 3y = 5
isolate x or y from one equation and substitute its value into the other:

y = 5x − 2

2 x − 3(5 x − 2) = 5 , and proceed.

Use the expression for y in equation 2 and substitute it into equation 1:

18
one linear, one quadratic:

x 2 + y 2 = 25
x + y = 0.8

y = 0.8 − x , so x 2 + (0.8 − x) 2 = 25 . Multiply out, and solve the quadratic in x.

Rearrange the linear equation and substitute into the quadratic:

Note that each x answer will then produce a y answer, and this gives two pairs,
as it should because the equations represent the intersection of :

Questions

x 1− x
(a) Solve − =1

(b) Solve x 2 + 2 x = 15
3 2

(c) Solve 2 x 2 + x − 6 = 0

(d) Solve x − =2
1

x + 2y = 5
x

x 2 − y 2 = −3
(e) Solve the simultaneous equations

Answers

x 1− x
(a) − =1 [ ×6 ]
2 x − 3(1 − x ) = 6 → 2 x − 3 + 3x = 6
3 2

5x = 9 , so x = .
9
5

(b) x 2 + 2 x − 15 = 0
( x + 5)( x − 3) = 0
x = −5, 3 .

(c) 2 × −6 = −12 , so look for two numbers which multiply to –12 and add to 1.

So 2 x 2 + 4 x − 3 x − 6 = 0
These are 4, -3.

(2 x 2 + 4 x) − (3 x + 6) = 0
2 x ( x + 2) − 3( x + 2) = 0

(2 x − 3)( x + 2) = 0 , which gives x = −2, .

3
2

19
(d) x − = 2 [ ×x ]
1

x2 − 1 = 2x
x

x2 − 2x − 1 = 0
2 ± (−2) 2 − 4 × 1× −1 2± 8
x= = {Note that 8 = 4 × 2 = 2 2
2 ×1
and so 2 can be cancelled}: = 1 ± 2 , so x = -0.41, 2.41 to 2 d. p.
2

x + 2y = 5
rearrange equation1 : x = 5 − 2 y , and substitute:
x 2 − y 2 = −3
(e)

∴ (5 − 2 y ) 2 − y 2 = −3
∴ 25 − 20 y + 4 y 2 − y 2 = −3
∴ 3 y 2 − 20 y + 28 = 0
∴ (3 y − 14)( y − 2) = 0

∴ y = , 2 . These lead to x = − , 1 , so the two answers are

14 13
3 3
( x, y ) = (− , ), (1, 2) .
13 14
3 3

20
10. Rearranging formulae top

ax + b
(i) with a variable which only appears once, treat like an equation and isolate
the variable: e.g. make x the subject of = d : [ ×c ] gives ax + b = cd ,
cd − b
c
[ −b ] gives ax = cd − b , and finally [ ÷a ] gives x = .
a

factorise: e.g. ax = bx + c [ −bx ] gives ax − bx = c , factorising

(ii) with a variable which appears more than once, gather together and

gives ( a − b) x = c , then [ ÷(a − b) ] gives x =

c
a−b
.

Questions

(a) The Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales are related linearly by

C = ( F − 32) . Rearrange it to make F the subject.
9
5

x−a
(b) Make x the subject of =b
x

Answers

(a) C = ( F − 32) [ ×5 ]
9

∴ 5C = 9( F − 32) [ ÷9 ]
5

∴ = F − 32 [ +32 ]
5C
9
∴ F = C + 32
5
9
(there are different ways to approach this, but all (correct) answers
will be equivalent even though they may look different)

x−a
(b) = b [ ×x ]
∴ x − a = bx [ − bx, + a ]
x

∴ x − bx = a
∴ x (1 − b) = a [ ÷(1 − b) ]
[factorise]

∴x =
a
1− b
.
−a
{ Note that x =
b −1
would also be correct, as top and bottom
are multiplied by –1}

21
11. Inequalities top

(a) linear

treat exactly like an equation, except if you multiply/divide by a negative

number, the inequality sign must be reversed. Avoid it!

(b) quadratic

e.g. x 2 < 4 First treat like an equation and factorise if possible (formula
otherwise): x 2 − 4 < 0 , then ( x − 2)( x + 2) < 0 . This gives “critical values” of

“happy” parabola) which reveals the region in which x 2 − 4 < 0 :

–2 and +2. Draw a number line, and a sketch of the function (in this case a

y
−2 < x < 2 .

Had the question been x > 4 , the answer would be x < 2 or x > 2 .
– 3– 2– 1 1 2 3 x
2

(c) 2 variable linear inequalities

e.g. 3 x − 2 y ≥ 6 . Plot the boundary line 3 x − 2 y = 6 , then take a trial point

(e.g. the origin) to determine which side of the line to accept.
y
2
1
– 2– 1 1 2 3 x
– 2
– 3
– 4

The origin’s coordinates make 3 × 0 − 2 × 0 which is not ≥ 6 , so that side is

rejected:
y
2
1
– 2– 1 1 2 3 x
– 2
– 3
– 4

22
 y
Questions 5

(a) Solve 2(1 − x ) < 6

4
3
2

(b) Solve 12 − x ≤ x 2
1
– 4– 3– –
2– 11 1 2 3 4 5 x
– 2
(c) Find the 3 inequalities which identify this region: – 3
– 4

Answers

(a) 2(1 − x ) < 6 [ ÷2 ]

∴1 − x < 3 [ + x, − 3 ]
x > −2

(b) 12 − x ≤ x 2
x + x − 12 ≥ 0
[rearrange]
2

∴ ( x + 4)( x − 3) ≥ 0 , giving critical values of –4 and +3.

y
10
5

– 5– 4– 3– –2– 51 1 2 3 4 x
– 10
– 15

so x ≤ −4 or x ≥ 3

(c) The three line equations are y = 2 x + 1, y = x − 2, x + y = 4 .

1
2
By considering a point (e.g. origin) in the shaded region, the inequalities are
y < 2 x + 1 , y > x − 2 , and x + y < 4 .
1
2

23
12. Parallel lines, bearings, polygons top

(a) Parallel lines

alternate angles equal corresponding angles equal allied or interior add up to 180 °

(b) bearings
A

45°
Bearings are measured clockwise from North:
bearing of B from A is 135º
B

(c) polygons
exterior angle
sum of interior angles = (n − 2)180 º
for a polygon with n sides,
interior angle

sum of exteriors = 360º

24
Questions
a
A
the value of θ in terms of a and b.
(a) In the diagram opposite, find
E
D
θ
C
(b) The bearing of B from A is 090º,
B b
and the bearing of C from B is 120º.
Given also that AB = BC, find the
bearing of C from A.

(c) A pentagon has exactly one line of symmetry, and angles all of which are
either 100º or 120º. Make a sketch of the pentagon, marking in the angles.

Answers

(a) D AE = a (opposite), DEC = b (corresponding), so

AED = 180 − b (angles on a straight line). ADE = θ (opposite). We
now have the three angles in triangle ADE, so a + (180 − b) + θ = 180 .
A rearrangement gives θ = b − a .
N N

(b) Angle at point B means B 120°

ABC = 360 − 90 − 120 = 150 º
A

Triangle ABC is isosceles, so B AC = 15 º. C

The bearing of C from A is therefore 105º.

(c) Sum of internal angles is ( n − 2)180 = 540 º

for any pentagon. A line of symmetry means c
the set up is like this:
b b
The only way of allocating 100º and 120º to a, b, c
and make a total of 540º is to have three 100º’s a a
and two 120º’s. So there are two possible pentagons:

100°
100°
100° 100° 120° 120°
120° 120° 100° 100°

25
13. Areas and volumes, similarity top

(a) Areas of plane figures

CIRCLE TRIANGLE
B
h a
r
b C A
b
πr
2
1 1
bh or absinC
2 2

TRAPEZIUM
PARALLELOGRAM
b

h h

b a
bh 1
(a + b)h
2

(b) Surface area and volume

Shape surface area volume

PRISM

Prism p×l A× l A

2π rh πr h
r l
2
Cylinder
h CYLINDER

π rl πr h
1 2 CONE
Cone l
3 h

4π r πr
r
2 4 3 SPHERE r
Sphere
3

× base area × h
1
Pyramid PYRAMID h
3

Pipe flow: number of m3/s flowing through (or out of) a pipe
= cross-sectional area × speed
v

26
(b) Similarity

Enlargement scale factor =

k

Area scale factor =

2
k
Volume scale factor =
3
k

Questions

(a) A cylinder has volume 100cm3, and height 5cm.

What is its diameter?

(b) A cone of base radius 10cm and height 20cm is sliced parallel to the base
half way up into two pieces. What is the volume of the base part? (frustum)
25m
(c) The empty swimming pool shown opposite 10m
is to be filled with water. The speed of flow of
1m
water in the pipe is 2m/s, and the radius of the 3m
pipe is 5cm. How long will the pool take to fill?

(d) Two blocks are geometrically similar,

and the big blocks weighs 20 times the
small block. What is
the ratio of surface areas of the two
blocks?

Answers

(a) π r 2 5 = 100

∴r2 = , so r = = 2.52 cm. Whoops! Diameter asked for!

5π π
100 20

diameter = 5.05cm to 3sf

{Note the pre-corrected value was doubled resulting in 5.05 when itself
rounded, not 5.04}

27
(b) The upper small cone has base radius 5cm and height 10cm. The volume of
the base is therefore π 102 × 20 − π 52 × 10 which factorises to π 1750 =
1 1 1
3 3 3
1830cm3 to 3sf

(c) Pool is a prism with cross section the side, which is a trapezium.
So volume of pool = (1 + 3)25 × 10 = 500 m3.
1

Rate of egress of water is c.s.a. × speed = π 52 × 200 = 5000π cm3, which

2

is 5000π ÷ 106 m3/s. (Units!!) So time taken =

500 ÷ (5000π ÷ 106 ) = = 31831 s, i.e. approx 8hrs 51 mins.
105
π

(d) assuming same density material, weight is directly proportional to volume.

The volume factor is 20, i.e. k 3 = 20 . ∴ k = 3 20 , and so the ratio of surface
areas,1 : k 2 , is 1 : 7.37

28
14. Trigonometry top

sin θ =
O
H
cosθ =
H
θ
O A
H
tan θ =
A
O
A

= =
a b c
Sine rule:
sin A sin B sin C

Cosine rule: a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc cos A

y
x
Two opposite pairs: use sine rule

x y Three sides and one angle: use cosine rule

Angle between line and plane is the angle between the line and its
projection on the plane: e.g. for the angle between this diagonal and
the base, draw the projection, and the angle is shown here:

Trigonometric functions for all angles:

y y y
1 1 5

90 180 270 360x 90 180 270 360x 90 180 270 360x

– 1 – 1 – 5

sinx cosx tanx

29
Questions C

(a) ADB is a straight line of length 20cm. Find θ .

6cm
40° θ
A D B

(b) In triangle ABC, AB = 5cm, BC = 8cm, and BCA = 30 º. Find ABC

(c) A yacht sails 5 miles at 045º then 6 miles at 090º. How far and at what
bearing is it from its original point?

(d) Is an internal diagonal of a cube at 45º elevation from the base?

(e) Find two values of x in the range 0º to 360º for which sin x = −0.5

30
Answers

θ lies in the triangle on the right, and all the information

(a) draw a diagram. No, a decent diagram!

we have is in the left triangle. To connect with the triangle BCD

it would be helpful to calculate CD and AD.
sin 40º = , ∴ CD = 6sin 40º = 3.85....
CD
6
cos 40º = , ∴ AD = 6 cos 40º = 4.59..... , so BD = 20 − 4.59... = 15.4...
AD
6
Then tan θ = = 0.250... , so θ = 14.1º to 3 s.f.
3.85...
15.4...

(b) If we target angle A then we have 2 opposite B

side/angle pairs, so use the sine rule: 5 cm 8 cm
30°
= , so Aˆ = 53.1..º , and
sin A sin 30º A C
8 5
B = 180 − 53.1... − 30 = 96.9º
ˆ

N
OB 2 = 52 + 62 − 2 × 5 × 6 × cos135º
(c) Using cosine rule,
N A 6 B
5
so OB = 10.2 miles (to 3 s.f.) 45°
Now using the sine rule, O

= ˆ = 24.7 º
ˆ
sin AOB sin135 º
, which gives AOB
6 10.16...
The bearing of B from O is therefore 069.7º

(d) Assume the length of side of the cube is 1.

(Enlargement won’t make any difference to the
angles). Pythagoras gives the projection on the
base as 2 , and the opposite side is 1.
So tan θ = . an d θ = 35.3º to 3 s.f.
1
2
y
1
(e) First find the principal value from
the calculator: -30º. Where are there -30
other angles in our window with the – 90 90 180 270 360 x
-0.5
same sine?
– 1
y
1

-30
– 90 90 180 270 360 x
-0.5
– 1
Clearly at 30º beyond 180º and 30º back from 360º.
So x = 210º, 330º

31
15. Circles top

(a) arcs, sectors, segments

θ
× 2π r θ sector
arc
Arc length =
360
r

θ
Sector area = ×π r2
360 segment

Segment area = Sector – Triangle

(b) circle theorems

(i) Angle subtended at the centre = 2 × angle subtended

at the circumference by the same arc

(ii) Angles in the same segment are equal

(iii) Angle in a semicircle = 90º

(iv) Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral

add up to 180º

(v) Exterior angle of a cyclic quadrilateral

= interior opposite

(vi) Alternate segment theorem: the angle between

tangent and side = interior opposite

32
Questions

(a) The arc of a sector of a circle of radius 20cm has length 10cm.
Find the area of the sector.

(b) A cylindrical tank, radius 50cm and length 2m with horizontal axis is
partially filled with oil to a maximum depth of 25cm. How much oil is
contained in the cylinder?

(c) Find θ in the following diagrams:

θ
(a) 120° (b) (c)
35°
θ
θ 40°

Answers

θ
(a) Arc length = × 2π 20 and this is given as 10cm. Rearranging
θ
360
gives θ = × π 202 = × π 202
π 360π
90 90
. Therefore sector area =
360
which simplifies nicely to 100cm2.
{Would you have reached for the calculator at θ =
π
90
, and missed the
beautiful cancellation later?}

(b) We need to find the area of the segment

comprising the cross-section of the oil.
Above the oil is an isosceles triangle, so 25 cm
split it down the line of symmetry: OIL 25 cm

50 cm 25 cm

This gives an angle of cos −1 0.5 = 60º, and a base

of 43.3…cm by Pythagoras. So the angle at the centre
of the sector is 120º. Therefore the area of the segment
× π 50 2 − 43.3... × 25 = 1535cm2. The oil is in the
120
is
shape of a prism with volume 1535 × 200 = 307092 cm3
360

= 0.307m3.

33
360º – 120º = 240º, so θ = 120 º by the
(c) The angle subtended at the centre is

angle at the centre theorem.

θ

Cˆ = 35 º (angles in the same segment)

ˆ = 90 º (angle in a semicircle)
C

so θ = 180 − 35 − 90 = 55 º (angle sum

CAB
35°
of a triangle)
θ B
A

ˆ = 40 º (alternate segment theorem)

θ
ABT C
ˆ = 70 º, and
Isosceles triangle gives BAT A
so Ĉ = 70 º (angles in same segment)
B

T 40°

34
16. Similar triangles, congruent triangles top

(a) Similar triangles

same shape, different size; related by enlargement (may be
different orientation)

to prove similar: AAA

(each pair of angles equal)

to solve problems use either (a) scale factor or (b) ratio of sides equal

(b) Congruent triangles

same shape and size, i.e. identical though usually in different positions.

to prove congruent: SSS

SAS
AAS
ASA
RHS

but not ASS – there are sometimes two different triangles with the same
ASS

35
Questions
E D 6
(a) (i) Prove that triangles BCD and C
ACE are similar. (ii) Hence find the lengths 6 BD and
8
DE. (iii)If the B
area of triangle BCD is 12 what is the A 4 area of the trapezium
ABDE?

(b) Use congruent triangles to prove that the diagonals of a

parallelogram bisect each other.

Answers

ˆ = DBC
(a) (i) EAC ˆ and AEC ˆ = BDCˆ (corresponding). The third angle is
shared, so AAA is established and they are similar.
= . So BD = 6 ÷ , or
12 3 3
(ii) scale factor of enlargement is
8 2 2
6 × = 4. CE is 6 × = 9 , so DE is 9 – 6 = 3
2 3
3 2
(iii) Area of triangle ACE = 12 × ( ) 2 {note area scale factor = k2}
3
2
= 27. So the trapezium has area 27 – 12 = 15.
A B
(b) The two pairs of marked angles are equal
(alternate), and the top and bottom sides are X
equal (parallelogram). So we have two
congruent triangles ABX and DCX by D C
ASA. (Note each would have to be rotated
180º about X to transform onto the other).
So AX = XC and DX = XB, i.e. the diagonals bisect each other.

36
17. Transformations top

⎛ a⎞
(i) translation by vector ⎜ ⎟ shifts a to the right and b up.
⎝b⎠

(ii) rotation about P through θ . [Note e.g. +90º means 90º anticlockwise]
perform a rotation using compasses,

or if a multiple of 90º, use the L shape:

To find the centre of a rotation already performed, perpendicularly bisect

a line joining any point with its image. Repeat with another pair, then where
the two perpendicular bisectors meet is the centre of rotation.
Alternatively, if it’s a 90º rotation, find the centre by trial and error then
confirm by using L shapes.

(iii) reflection through a line l.

To find the mirror line of a given

reflection, join a point to its image and
mark the mid-point . Repeat this with another
pair of points, and join the two mid-points to
form the mirror line.

(iv) enlargement from P with a scale factor k.

k
1

Note distance from centre of enlargement is multiplied by k.

37
To find a centre of enlargement, join a point to its image and extend
the line back. Repeat, and the centre is where the lines intersect.

Questions y
4
(a) What single transformation will carry 3
D
triangle A onto (i) B (ii) C? 2
1 A
(b) A “glide reflection” is a reflection
– 4– 3– 2–
– 1
1 1 2 3 4 x
followed by a translation. A is transformed
B– 2
mirror line is y = x − 1 . What is the vector
onto D by a glide reflection, in which the
– 3
C – 4
of the subsequent translation? y
4
(c) E is transformed onto F: state the 3
single transformation which accomplishes 2 E
this. 1

– 4– 3– 2–
– 1
1 1 2 3 4 x
F
– 2
– 3
– 4

Answers

(ii) reflection through the line y = − x − 1

(a) (i) -90º rotation about (-1,2). (Check with L shapes)
y
4
3
(b) The diagram shows A reflected to D A'
2

⎛ −5 ⎞
A’. The vector of translation necessary A
1
to take A’ onto D is ⎜ ⎟ .
⎝1⎠ – 4– 3– 2–
– 1
1 1 2 3 4 x
– 2
(c) Draw lines joining points with – 3
their images, and extend them downwards. – 4
They all meet at the centre of enlargement.
So it’s an enlargement, centre (-2, -4) with scale factor ½.

38
18. Loci and ruler and compass constructions top

(a) In 2-D: locus of points equidistant from:

1 fixed point is a circle

2 fixed points A and B is the perpendicular bisector of AB

A
Circumcentre B
3 fixed points A, B and C the circumcentre of ABC
C

(b) locus of points equidistant from:

2 fixed lines is the angle bisector

incentre
3 fixed lines is the incentre of the
triangle

Questions

(a) Construct the triangle ABC where AB = 8cm, BC = 5cm and

CA = 6cm. Construct the region of points within ABC which
are closer to AB than AC, and also closer to A than B.

(b) In 3-D, describe the locus of points exactly 1cm away from the
nearest point on a line segment AB.

Answers
C
(a) Using compasses, construct ABC
accurately. Then note that the boundary
lines for the two requirements are the
angle bisector of BACˆ and the perpendicular B A
bisector of AB, and the intersection of the
two regions must be selected.

(b) This is a cylinder of radius 1cm and axis AB,

and also two hemispheres of radius 1cm and centres
A and B. (or a hollow sausage, as we say in the trade).

39
19. Vectors top

Vectors are most easily seen as journeys for a particular distance

in a particular direction. location is not relevant, e.g. the opposite sides
of a parallelogram can both be represented by a .

a + b : join the arrows nose to tail:

b
{Note in books and exam papers vectors a
will be bold lower case letters without bars. a+b
You write bars underneath –okay?}

− a : is a reversed

a
ka where k is a scalar is a vector parallel to a , k times as long.
3a

To get from A to B via given vectors, the route chosen

doesn’t matter - the expressions will all simplify down to
the same answer.

40
Questions

(a) ABCD is a trapezium with AB parallel a

to CD and CD = 2AB. The vectors B A
a , b , and c are defined as shown. c b
X is a point ¼ of the way along CD. C D
X
→
(i) Find two different expressions for AX in terms of a , b , and c .
(ii) Are the previous expressions really different? Explain.

→ →
(b) In triangle OAB, OA = a and OB = b .
B

The line OK strikes AB one third of the way b X K

up, and OK is 1½ times as long as OX.
Find in terms of a and b : O a A
→ → → →
(i) AB (ii) OX (iii) OK (iv) AK
What does the final answer tell you geometrically?

Answers

→
(a) (i) Going via B and C we get AX = − a + c + 14 (2 a ) = − 12 a + c
→
Via D, however, we get AX = − b − 34 (2 a ) = − b − 32 a .
(ii) These two expressions must be the same. So − 12 a + c = − b − 23 a ,
which simplifies to a + b + c = 0 . This means that each can be expressed
in terms of the others, so one is superfluous. This relationship can be seen

triangle illustrating that a + b + c = 0 :

easily if we join A to the mid-point of CD and observe that there is a closed
a B A
c c b
C D
Y a
→ →
(b) (i) AB = − a + b (ii) OX = a + 13 (− a + b ) , which simplifies to
→
2
3 a + 13 b (iii) OK = 32 ( 32 a + 13 b ) = a + 12 b . (iv)
→
AK = − a + ( a + 12 b ) = 12 b .
That AK is parallel to OB and half as long.

41
20. Straight line graphs top
y
∆y ∆y
∆x ∆x
gradient m =
x
y

gradient m, is y = mx
Equation of a straight line through the origin,
y = mx
x

y-intercept c is y = mx + c
Equation of a straight line gradient m and c y = mx + c

passing through (x1,y1) is y − y1 = m( x − x1 )

Equation of a straight line gradient m and

Intersecting lines: solve their equations

simultaneously to find the intersection. x

Parallel lines have m1 = m2

Perpendicular lines have m1m2 = −1 , or m2 = −

1
m1

Questions

(a) What is the gradient, and y- intercept, of 2 x + 6 y + 12 = 0 ?

y

ax + by = c where the coefficients are integers.

(b) Find the equation of this line in the form 3
2
1

(c) Where do the lines y = 3 x − 5 and –– 11 1 2 3 x

3 x + 2 y = 6 intersect?

(d) A is (2,3), B is (5,6) and C is (4,0). Find the equation

of the line through C perpendicular to AB.

42
Answers

(a) Rearrange: 2 x + 6 y + 12 = 0
[ ÷6 ]
[-2x, -12]
6 y = −2 x − 12
12
y = −3 x−2
1

so the gradient is − 13 and the y-intercept is –2.

(b) gradient = − 23 and y-intercept = 2.

The equation is y = − 23 x + 2 [ + 23 x ]
3 x+ y = 2
2
[ ×3 ]
2x + 3y = 6

(c) Solve simultaneously. In this form, substitution would be easier:

sub (1) into (2): 3 x + 2(3 x − 5) = 6 which gives x = . Sub back into
16
9
(1) gives y = . So the intersection is ( , ) .
1 16 1
3 9 3

6−3
= 1 . Perpendicular gradient is − = −1 .
1
5− 2
(d) gradient AB is
So the required equation is y = − x + c but what is c? Get this by
1

→ 0 = −4 + c , giving c = 4 , and the equation is y = − x + 4

substituting the coordinates of a point on the line, i.e. C.

43
21. More graphs top

graphs of x, x 2 , x 3 , , k x and x 2 + y 2 = r 2
1
x

(a) x as above, linear

y
2
(b) x 2 parabolae y =x – x +1
x
y

3
(c) x3 cubics(!) y = x –x
x

y
1
(d) hyperbolae 2
x y =
x x
y
4

(e) k x , where k > 0 and x is an integer

3
x
2 y =2
1

– 2 – 1 1 2 x

y
(f) x 2 + y 2 = r 2 circle radius r, centre origin 2 2
x + y = 1
x

Solving equations using graphs:

(i) Draw the graph of y = x 2 and on the same grid 4

y
3
Solving simultaneously, x 2 = 3 , i.e. the x-values
y = 3. What equation do the intersections solve? y = 3
2

at the intersections are solutions of x 2 = 3 , i.e.

1 y= x
2

– 2– 1 1 2 x

they are ± 3 . y y= x + 2

If y = x + 2 is drawn, the x-values at the

4
3

intersections are solutions to x 2 = x + 2 ,

2
1 2

i.e. x 2 − x − 2 = 0 , which could be factorised

y= x

to ( x − 2)( x + 1) = 0 , giving x = −1, 2 , which

– 2– 1 1 2 x

can be seen on the graph.

(ii) What other graph should be drawn on the

44
same grid as y = x 2 to see the solutions of
x 2 + 3 x − 1 = 0 ? Unravel this to x 2 = −3 x + 1
and so we need to draw the line y = −3 x + 1 .

Questions

(a) Plot y = x 2 and y = 4 − x 2 on the same grid and find the x-values
of their intersections. To what equation are these the solutions?
y
(b) What are the x-coordinates at the intersections 4
3
of these two graphs? What equation is being solved 2
approximately by these two numbers? 1 y= x
2

– 2– 1 1 2 x
(c) A colony of bacteria double in number daily,
after starting with 100 individuals. State the number
of bacteria after (i) 1 day (ii) 2 days (ii) 3 days (iv) 4 days (v) x days

after the start, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 5 . Estimate (a) when the colony has grown to
Sketch the graph of the number of bacteria against x, the number of days

2500 (b) the rate of growth when x = 3.

Answers y
5
4 2

At intersection, y = x 2 and y = 4 − x 2 . Solving

(a) Intersection x-values are approx. –1.4 and 1.4. y = x
3
2
simultaneously, x 2 = 4 − x 2 , ∴ 2 x 2 = 4 , so the
2
1 y =4 –x

equation is x 2 = 2 . (which means these two values

– 2–– 11 1 2 x

of x are actually ± 2 )

For the line, m = 1 and c = 1, so its equation is y = x + 1 .

(b) At the two intersections, x = -0.6 and x = 1.6 (approx).

is x 2 = x + 1 , i.e. x 2 − x − 1 = 0 .
Therefore the equation representing x-values at intersection

(c) (i) 200 (ii) 400 (iii) 800 (iv) 1600 (v) 100 × 2 x
number of bacteria
3000
2000
1000

1 2 3 4 5 x

(a) 2500 are attained after about 4.7 days, (b) the gradient of the tangent
at x = 3 shows the rate of growth at that moment, and is about 550
bacteria/day.

45
22. Distance, velocity graphs top

{We are really dealing with displacement, i.e. how far along a certain route,

would represent 0 displacement, but 2πr of distance}

usually a straight line, from an origin. e.g. going round a complete circle

(a) Displacement – time

s
Gradient measured between A and B B
= average velocity A
t
Gradient of a tangent
= velocity at that point.

(b) Velocity – time v

B
Gradient measured between A and B A
= average acceleration t

Gradient of a tangent
= acceleration at that point

Area between the curve and x-axis = displacement

{note: under the x-axis, area counts negative}

(c) Trapezium rule

an approximate method for counting
y
area under a curve:

Area ≈ { y0 + 2 y1 + ....... + 2 yn −1 + yn } .
y
d y0 y1 2
yn – 1 y
2 n
x
This replaces each strip with a trapezium, i.e. d
the top becomes a straight line segment, and will
under- or over- estimate the true area.

46
Questions

after time t seconds is given by v = t 2 . Find

(a) An object moves in a straight line so that its velocity

(ii) its instantaneous acceleration at t = 12

(i) its average acceleration over the first second

(iii) the distance it covers using the trapezium rule with 4 strips.

(b) In the journey represented in the v

2V
diagram, the total distance covered was
V
60m, and the acceleration over the first
part was 5 ms-2. Find the values of V and T. T 3Tt

Answers
v
(a) (i) average acceleration = change in 1
velocity over time taken = 1 m/s per s
= 1ms-2. 0.5
(ii) acceleration at t = ½ is gradient of
tangent there, i.e. 1ms-2.
(iii) Using trapezium rule, 0.5 1 t

{0 + 2 × 0.252 + 2 × 0.52 + 2 × 0.752 + 12 } = 0.34375, or

distance
≈
0.25
2
0.34 m to 2 s.f. {Note that 0.34375 is an overestimate due to the
concave curve}

(b) Splitting into two trapezia and a triangle, area under curve
= (V + 2V )T + (2V + 12 V )T + T which = 3VT . So 3VT = 60
1 1 1 V
2 2 2 2
V
Acceleration on first part = which = 5. Substituting gives

5T 2 = 20 which leads to T = 2, and V = 10.

T

47
23. Sequences; trial and improvement top

(a) Sequences

Numbers in a sequence u receive the names u1 , u2 , u3 ,....un ,.....

A sequence may be defined directly: un = 3n + 1 (that is 4, 7, 10, ….)
or recursively: un = 2un −1 − 3 and u1 = 4 (that is 4, 5, 7, 11, 19, 35,…)

special sequences:

where un = 12 n(n + 1)
(i) Triangle numbers 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, ……

where u1 = 1, u2 = 1, and un = un −1 + un − 2
(ii) Fibonacci sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, …..

(b) trial and improvement

e.g. Solve x 3 − x − 1 = 0 correct to 1.d.p.

to solve an equation or maximise/minimise a quantity

x x3 − x − 1
0 -
1 -
2 +
1.5 +
1.3 -
1.4 +
1.35 +

We’ve established there is a zero between 1.3 and 1.4, but which

between 1.3 and 1.35, so when rounded it will definitely be x = 1.3

figure do we quote? Must go halfway, i.e. 1.35 to indicate. Answer is

48
Questions

(a) un = 3n − 7 . What is (i) the 10th term (ii) the first term over 1000?

(b) Suggest a formula for –5, 2, 9, 14, 21, 28, ….

(c) Find the number of straight lines joining n dots, and prove your formula.

(d) In a game, a counter can move

either one or two spaces on each turn. How many different ways are there
for the counter to get from the 1st square to the 10th square?

(e) Find, to 1 d.p. the value of x which minimises the function x 2 + 2 x

Answers

(a) (i) u10 = 3 × 10 − 7 = 23 .

(ii) Need un > 1000 , i.e. 3n − 7 > 1000 which solves to n > 335 23
so the first term is the 336th and is u336 = 1001

(b) un = 7n − 12 , (or, not so impressive, un = un −1 + 7 and u1 = −5 )

(c) Each dot radiates n -1 lines to the other

from, there are n( n − 1) lines: except that we

dots, and as there are n dots to radiate lines

So the number of lines between n dots is 12 n(n − 1)

have counted every line exactly twice over.

(d) We are having to advance the counter 9 places. Let the number of ways
of advancing it n places be called un , (and we need to find u9 .)

remaining to get to the end is un−1 or un − 2 respectively. So un = un −1 + un − 2

The first move is either a 1 or a 2, after which the number of ways

and the sequence is our old friend the Fibonacci. Noting that u1 = 1
and u2 = 2 , the sequence must go 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, …. and
u9 is 55

49
(e) To get an idea where to look see sketch:
The minimum is around x = -0.3

y
3
2
2 x
1 y = x + 2

– 1 1 x

x x2 + 2x
-0.5 0.957..
-0.4 0.917..
-0.3 0.902..
-0.2 0.910..

So far, we are assuming there is a simple minimum, but all we know

is that it’s somewhere in the vicinity of –0.3 – it may well not be closest
to that value at 1 d.p., so we need to go to a finer division:

x x2 + 2x
-0.29 0.902..
-0.28 0.901..
-0.27 0.902..

We now know it’s between –0.27 and –0.29, so rounded to 1 d.p.

the value of x is indeed –0.3
{Provided the function is a straightforward one with no funny business}

50
24. Graphical transformations top

For any graph y = f ( x ) ,

y = f ( x − a) → +a a translation of a steps in the + x direction

y − a = f ( x) ↑ +a a translation of a steps in the + y direction

{i.e. y = f ( x ) + a }

y= f( ) ↔ ×a
x
a stretch by factor a in the + x direction
a

= f ( x) ×a
y
a stretch by factor a in the + y direction
{i.e. y = af ( x ) }
a

e.g. y y y
1 1 1

– 1 180 360x 180 360x 180 360x

– 1 – 1
y = sinx x
y = sin y = sin 2x
2

stretch by 2 in x stretch by 1/2 in x

multiple transformations:

this is truly tricky. It’s different from techniques in rearranging formulae:

you must do a sequence of steps in the formula, each time replacing x (or y)

e.g. what transformation must be performed on the curve y = x 2 to obtain the

with something new, eventually to get the required equation

x −1 2
following: (a) y = ( x − 1) 2 + 3 (b) y = 2( )
3

(a) starting with y = x 2 , replace x by x − 1 { → y = ( x − 1) 2 }, then replace

y by y − 3 { → y − 3 = ( x − 1) 2 }. So the original parabola must be moved 1 step
to the right then 3 steps up.

51
(b) Instinct says replace x by x-1 first, but it don’t work! Starting with y = x 2
x −1 2
Replace x by { → y = ( ) 2 } then replace x by x − 1 { → y = (
x x
) } and
x −1 2
3 3 3
{→ = (
y y
finally replace y by ) }. Thus the transformations are: a
2 2 3
stretch in the x direction by factor 3, then a translation by +1 in the x direction,
and finally a stretch by factor 2 in the y direction, illustrated here:

y y
y 2 y
2 2 2
1 1
1 1
– –3–2 1 1 2 3 x – –2 1 1 2 3 x
– –2 1 1 2 3 x – –2 1 1 2 3 x
⎛ x ⎞ ⎛ x – 1 ⎞ ⎛ x – 1 ⎞
y= ⎜ ⎟ y = ⎜ ⎟ y =2⎜ ⎟
2 2 2

⎝ 3 ⎠
2
y =x
⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠

Questions

(a) The graph of y = cos x is shown. On the empty grids, sketch the graphs of
(i) y = cos 2 x (ii) y = 2 cos x (iii) y = cos − 1
x
2

y y y y
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
– 1
– 2 180 360x – 1 180 360x – 1 180 360x – 1 180 360x
– 2 – 2 – 2
y = cos 2x x
y = 2cosx y = cos – 1
2

y = x + 1 . (i) Perform a stretch on this

(b) On the left grid is the graph of
y y
5 5
by a factor of 2 in the y direction, 4 4
drawing the result on the empty grid. 3 3
2 2
(ii) Show algebraically what effect 1 1
this stretch has on the equation of
the line – –2– 11 1 2 3 4 x – –2– 11 1 2 3 4 x

(c) Describe the transformations of the curve y = x 2 which result in a

1⎛ x ⎞
curve with equation y = ⎜ + 1⎟
2

2⎝ 3 ⎠

52
Answers

(a) y y y y
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
– 1
– 2 180 360x – 1 180 360x – 1 180 360x – 1 180 360x
– 2 – 2 – 2
y = cos 2x x
y = 2cosx y = cos – 1
2

(b) How do you stretch? Pick a point, measure its distance from the
invariant x-axis, then double it.

y y
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
– –2– 11 1 2 3 4 x – –2– 11 1 2 3 4 x

= x + 1 , i.e. y = 2 x + 2 , and this

y
The ensuing line will have equation
2
is confirmed by the diagram.

(c) a fiendish trap. Suppress the urge to divide x by 3 first (as you would do in
a calculation):
replace x by x +1: → y = ( x + 1) 2 . Next, replace x by : → y = ( + 1) 2 ,
x x
3 3
finally replace y by 2y: → 2 y = ( + 1) 2 which is it. So the transformations are:
x
3
translate by –1 in x direction, then stretch by factor 3 in the x direction, then
stretch by factor ½ in the y direction.

53
25. Probability top

the relative frequency (no. of successes ÷ no. of trials) tends as the

One definition of the probability of an event is the limit to which

no. of trials → ∞ .

700 tails out of 1000 flips. However, one would expect by n = 1000 to have
So 7 tails from 10 flips of a fair coin gives 0.7 relative frequency, as does

converged more closely to 0.5. That would cast doubt on the fairness of the
coin.

(i) For mutually exclusive events A and B, P ( A or B ) = p ( A) + P ( B)

(ii) For independent events A and B, P ( A and B ) = P ( A) × P ( B)

(iii) Probability trees can illustrate combined events well:

e.g. a bag contains 5 blue balls and 10 red balls. Pick one ball at random, keep
it out, then pick another ball. What is the probability of one of each colour?

first second
pick pick
9
14
2
red 3 5
14
blue 10
1 14
3
4
14

The two nodes corresponding to one of each colour are marked.

The probability is × + ×
2 5 1 10 10
which is .
3 14 3 14 21
Alternatively to a tree, just spell out the sequence of events:
P(one of each colour) = P(R1 and B2 or B1 and R2) and use the
addition and multiplication laws to get the same result.

54
Questions

(a) Draw a table of results for the rolling of two dice.

What is the probability that (i) the difference is 2 (ii) the total is 6
(iii) the difference is 2 or the total is 6 ?

(b) A teacher picks 2 pupils at random to be class representatives out of a class

with 10 boys and 12 girls. What is the probability that
(i) they are both boys (ii) there is at least 1 girl ?

(c) A game consists of three turns of an arrow which lands randomly

between 1 and 5, with the scores are added together.
4
A prize is given for a final score of 14 or more 3 5
2 1
What is the probability that (i) a player scores the same
number on each turn (ii) a player wins a prize ?

Answers
A
1 2 3 4 5 6
(a) The difference being 2 is shown with dots B 1
while the total being 6 is shown with rings.
2

=
3
8 2
(i) P(difference = 2) = . 4
36 9
5
5
(ii) P(total = 6) = 6
36
(iii) P(difference = 2 or total = 6)? Cannot use the addition law directly
here because they are not exclusive. (there’s an overlap). Just counting
gives =
11
.
36

× =
10 9 15
(b) (i) P(B1 and B2) = (ii) P(at least 1 girl) =
22 21 77
62
1 – P(both boys) = .
77

(c) (i) P(111 or 222 ……..) = ( )3 + ( )3 + ...... =

1 1 1
5 5 25
(ii) P(prize) = P(554 or 545 or 455 or 555) = ( )3 + ( )3 + ...... =
1 1 4
.
5 5 125

55
26. Statistical calculations, diagrams, data collection top

(a) calculations

∑x
(i) averages:
i
mean =
n

median = value of the middle item when listed in order

mode = most commonly occurring value

(ii) measures of spread:

range = max – min

Interquartile range = Upper quartile – lower quartile

Quartiles in small data sets: fiddly and pointless, but here we go. Median is
found. If the number of data was even, split the data into two sets; if the
number of data was odd, ignore the median and consider the remaining
values as two sets. Then the quartiles are the medians of the two remaining
sets.

(b) diagrams
others
nuclear
(i) pie chart for categoric data (non-numerical) e.g. modes of
transport used to school
gas oil
(ii) frequency diagram frequency

8
6
4
2
5 152535455565758595 no of runs

(iii) moving average in a time sequence, the mean of the last 10

(say) values is calculated then plotted. This
smooths out short term fluctuations so that a
long term trend may be seen.

(iv) scatter graphs to see correlation between two variables

90
85
Latin %

80
75
70
65
60

60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
56 Maths %
(v) stem and leaf diagrams the data is transcribed straight from a
table onto the stems: this is a back-to-
back stem and leaf.

Maths Latin
520 9 0
8652220 8 0258
854 7 0022558
1 6 088
6 5

key: 3 6
means 36%

(vi) cumulative frequency curve: grouped data with frequencies is turned

into cumulative frequencies thus:

0<x ≤ 10 0<x ≤ 10
x freq. x cum.freq

10<x ≤ 20 0<x ≤ 20
5 5
→
20<x ≤ 30 0<x ≤ 30
8 13
12 25
……. …… …… ……

and the cum freq’s plotted at the right end of the interval.

cum freq

3
up
4
50
1
up
4
60 age(years)

lower median upper

quartile quartile

(vii) box plot

l.q. u.q.
min median max

0 60 age(years)

57
 (vii) histogram: no gaps allowed. If the data is integer valued, the class
boundaries will be between integers.

frequency density = freq ÷ width

Height of block is not frequency, but

(c) data collection

(i) sampling: random sampling – the population is in a numbered list,

then adapt random numbers to select members
repeatedly without inherent bias. e.g. a random sample

830: take a Ran# from calculator, ×1000 , discard if

of size 50 to be selected from the school population of

over 830, otherwise choose that member of the list.

Repeat 50 times.

stratified sampling – when the population is divided into

strata and you wish each stratum to be represented in
the sample proportionately to its size. Calculate the
sizes and then sample randomly within each stratum.
e.g. in a prison in the age groups 18 - 25, 26 - 40, 41 –
60, and 61- 100 there are 100, 300, 250 and 150
inmates. You wish to take a stratified sample of size 50.
From the 18 – 25 group you must take a random sample
× 50 , i.e. 6 (nearest integer), and so on.
100
of size
800

(ii) questionnaires : no vague or leading questions. No

questions which could have a variety of possible
responses, better yes/no or tick boxes, or score on a
scale of 1 to 5, say.

58
27. Functions top

Functions are rules which require an input, x, and give a single output, f ( x) , (also
called y). So for example, pressing a calculator button performs a function.

Domain
This is the set of input values. This may be given in a question, or you
may have to find the natural domain, that is the set of all possible
input values.
Tha natural domain of f ( x) = x − 3 is x ≥ 3 , since any values of x
below 3 do not give a real output. y
3

-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 x
Range This is the set of output values. -1
For f ( x) = x − 3 , the range is all the numbers between 0 and infinity,
i.e. f ( x) ≥ 0 (or y ≥ 0 ).
{Note that the function only gives the positive square root}

Composing functions
If the output from one function f is used as the input fro another
function g, giving the composite function g ( f ( x)) (said as “ g of f

For example, if f ( x) = 2 x + 1 and g ( x) = 3x − 2 ,

of x”).

For this pair of functions, more generally, g ( f ( x)) = 3(2 x + 1) − 2 ,

then g ( f (1)) is g (3) which = 7.

which can be simplified to g ( f ( x)) = 6 x + 1 .

Inverse
The inverse of a function, called f −1 ( x) , reverses the action of the
function. e.g. with f ( x) = 2 x − 1 , f (3) = 5 , so f −1 (5) should = 3.
To find a formula for the inverse of f ( x) , call this y, and rearrange the
formula so that x is the subject.

y = 2x −1
∴ y + 1 = 2x
y +1
∴ =x
y +1 x +1
2
So f −1 ( y ) = , but this is normally rewritten as f −1 ( x) = ,
2 2
since the input number to any function is usually called x. Check with
the above example,

59
 5 +1
f −1 (5) = = 3 , which is correct!
2

Questions

(a) Find the natural domains of :

(i) f ( x) = 3 x − 2 (ii) f ( x) = (iii) f ( x) = 5 − x
1
x
(iv) f ( x) = (v) f ( x) = x(4 − x)
1
2x − 2

(b) Find the ranges of all the functions in q.1

x −3
(c) If f ( x ) = 5 x − 3 and g ( x) =
x+2
, find a simplified expression for
g ( f ( x)) .

2x + 3 x−3
(d) Find the inverse of (i) f ( x) = (ii) h( x) =
5 x +1

60
Answers

(a) (i) the entire real line

(iii) x ≤ 5
(ii) all real numbers except 0

(iv) x > 1
(v) the inside bit needs to be ≥ 0 . This means x (4 − x ) ≥ 0 , which is a
y
it requires 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 .
quadratic inequality:

-1 1 2 3 4 x
(b) (i) the entire real line

(iii) y ≥ 0
(ii) all real numbers except 0

(iv) y > 0
(v) 0 ≤ y ≤ 2

(5 x − 3) − 3 5x − 6
(c) g ( f ( x)) =
(5 x − 3) + 2 5x −1
=

2x + 3
(d) (i) y =
5 y = 2x + 3
5

5 y − 3 = 2x
5y − 3 5x − 3
= x , so f −1 ( x ) = .
x−3
2 2
(ii) y =
x +1
( x + 1) y = x − 3
xy + y = x − 3
xy − x = −3 − y
x( y − 1) = −3 − y
−3 − y
x=
y −1
. Why all these minuses? Let’s multiply top and bottom by -1, and

3+ x
h −1 ( x) =
1− x
.

61
 top
28. Calculus

If y = f ( x) , then
dy
Differentiation (or f '( x ) ) is the name of the gradient
dx
function of y.
y = x n then = nx n −1
dy
How to differentiate: If
dx

Constants multiplying a power of x remain:

If y = 10 x 2 then = 10 × 2 x = 20 x
dy
dx

dy
Rate of change is the rate of change of y with respect to x. So, for
dx
example:
dy
(i) on the graph of y against x, represents the gradient.
dx
(ii) if h metres is the vertical height of a ball after t seconds,
dh
then is the vertical velocity of the ball in m/s.
dt
dP
(iii) if P is the price of a share, is the rate of change of the
dt
share price.

= 0 and solve.
dy
Max/Min Put
dx
At a max or min the gradient will be 0.

= 0 ) you have located is a max or a

dy
Is the stationary point (
dx
min? To determine this, factorise the gradient function if
possible, and calculate the gradients at the stationary point, and
also nudging a little to the left and a little to the right:

e.g. On y = x3 − 3 x show that there is a staionary point at x = 1

and determine its nature.
= 3x 2 − 3
dy
dx
when x = 1 , = 3 × 12 − 3 = 0 , so there is a stationary point.
dy
dx
= 3( x − 1)( x + 1) .
dy dy
What type is it? can be factorised to
dx dx

x 1- 1 1+
dy - 0 +
dx

62
 The diagram shows that we have a minimum.

{For 1-, imagine substituting a number just less than 1 for x in

= 3( x − 1)( x + 1) , and it’s clearly going to be
dy
the expression
dx
negative, etc}

Questions

(iv) 3 x ( x + 1)
(a) Differentiate the following functions:
(i) x3 (ii) 17.5 (iii) 5x 2
2 x +1
(v) (vi)
x x

(b) Show that the curve y = x3 + x has no stationary points.

y = x3 + 3 x 2 − 9 x + 5 , and determine whether the right hand one

(c) Find the coordinates of the stationary points on

is a max or a min.

(d) The displacement of a toy car during the first 10 seconds after
release is given by s = t 2 − . Find (i) the car’s speed after 2
t3
15
seconds (ii) the maximum speed of the car.

63
Answers

(a) (i) 3 x 2 (iii) 10 x (iv) f ( x) = 3 x 2 + x so

−2
(ii) 0
f '( x ) = 6 x + 1 (v) f ( x) = 2 x −1 so f '( x) = 2 × −1x −2 , i.e. 2 .
x +1
x
needs to be simplified to 1 + , that is 1 + x −1 . So
1
(vi)
−
x x
f '( x) = −1x −2 , i.e. 2 .
1
x

= 3 x 2 + 1 . Now 3x 2 is always at least 0, so

dy dy
(b) is always at least 1.
dx dx
So there are no stationary points.

= 3 x 2 + 6 x − 9 . For stationary points, 3 x 2 + 6 x − 9 = 0 . Therefore

dy
(c)

x + 2x − 3 = 0
dx

( x + 3)( x − 1) = 0
2

∴ x = −3 or 1.
Plugging back into the original equation gives coordinates as (-3, 32) and
(1,0).
Is (1,0) a max or min?
= 3( x + 3)( x − 1) ,
dy
Using
dx
x 1- 1 1+
dy - 0 +
dx
so we have a minimum.

(d) v = , so v = 2t − .
ds t2
dt 5
(i) After 2 seconds, v = 2 × 2 −
22
= 3.2 m/s.
5
(ii) To find the maximum value of v, we need to differentiate the
expression for v.
= 2− .
dv 2t

Putting this = 0 solves to t = 5 . Back into the formula for v gives the
dt 5

maximum value of v as 2 × 5 −
52
= 5 m/s.
5

64
29. Sets top

Sets are groups of elements.

A small set may be shown on a Venn diagram, e.g. given the universal set is positive
integers less than 12, and A is the set of primes:

ξ A 1 8
2 11
3 4 9
5
7 10
6

A∩ B : the intersection of A and B

A∪ B : the union of A and B

A' : the complement of A

A⊂ B: A B A is a subset of B

6∈ A: 6 is a member of the set A

∅: the empty set

Intersections are overlaps, unions are all elements in one or the other or both.

65
Questions

(a) Shade the set A ∩ B ' : A B

(b) A is the set of animals, B is the set of black objects, and C is the set of

(i) Translate into normal English: B ∩ C ≠ ∅

cats.

(ii) Describe the set B ∩ A '

(iii) Is a white mouse a member of the set A ∩ ( B ∪ C ) ' ?

(c). In a class of 25, 12 play football, 15 play water polo, but 10 do neither
sport. How many play both football and water polo?

(d) ξ is the set of all employed people in England. A is the set of those with a
bank account. B is the set of those with a building society account. C is the set
of people who work in the catering industry.

(i) Shade the set of those in catering with a bank account but no building
society account, and describe this in set notation.

(ii) Shade the set C ∩ ( A ∪ B ) ' , and describe the members of this set.

66
Answers

(a) A B

(b) (i) there do exist black cats

(ii) black inanimate objects
(iii) the white mouse is certainly not a member of black objects or cats, and it is an
animal, so yes!

(c) let’s call the number in the intersection x. Then the numbers in the other
compartments can be calculated:
F W
12-x x 15-x
10

(12 − x) + x + (15 − x) + 10 = 25 , so x = 12 ,
Now using the fact that they represent 25 people altogether:

i.e. there are 12 people who play both football and water polo.

(Note also that there are none in the left hand compartment, i.e. n( F ∩ W ') = 0 , which
means that in this case F ⊂ W . That is, all who play football also play water polo.)

(d) (i) this is A ∩ C ∩ B ' A B

A B
(ii)

The members of C ∩ ( A ∪ B ) ' are those in the catering industry without a bank or
building society account.

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