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A LEVEL PURE MATHS REVISON NOTES

1 ALGEBRA AND FUNCTIONS
a) INDICES
Rules to learn :
𝑛 𝑛
1 𝑚 𝑚
𝑥 𝑎 × 𝑥 𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎+𝑏 𝑥 𝑎 ÷ 𝑥 𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎−𝑏 (𝑥 𝑎 )𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑏 𝑥 −𝑎 = 𝑥 𝑚 = √𝑥 𝑛 = ( √𝑥 )
𝑥𝑎

3 1
Simplify 2𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 + 3(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 Solve 32𝑥 × 25𝑥 = 15
1
= (𝑥 − 𝑦) (2𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑦) + 3))
2 (3 × 5)2𝑥 = 151
1
= (𝑥 − 𝑦) (2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 3)
2 2𝑥 = 1
1
𝑥=
2
b) SURDS
• A root such as √3 that cannot be written as a fraction is IRRATIONAL
• An expression that involves irrational roots is in SURD FORM
• RATIONALISING THE DENOMINATOR is removing the surd from the denominator (multiply by the conjugate)

2
Simplify Rationalise the denominator 2−√3
The conjugate of the denominator
2 2+√3 2 - √3 is 2 + √3 so that
√75 − √12 = ×2+
2−√3 √3 (2 - √3)( 2 + √3)
= √5 × 5 × 3 − √2 × 2 × 3 = 22 - √32
= 5√3 − 2√3 = 4 + 2√3 =1
= 3√3

c) QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND GRAPHS

Factorising – identifying the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0
• Look for the difference of 2 squares x2 – a2 = (x + a)(x – a) or (ax)2 - b2 = (ax + b)( ax – b)
• Look for the perfect square x2 + 2ax + a2 = (x + a)2
• Look out for equations which can be transformed into quadratic equations

12
Solve 𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥 = 0 Solve 6𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 2 + 2 = 0
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12 = 0 Let z = x2 6𝑧 2 − 7𝑧 + 2 = 0
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3) = 0 (2𝑧 − 1)(3𝑧 − 2) = 0
1 1 2 2
x = -4 x = 3 𝑧= 2
𝑥 = ±√2 𝑧= 3
𝑥 = ±√3

Completing the square – identifying the vertex and line of symmetry

y = (x + a)2 + b vertex at (-a , b) line of symmetry as equation x = -a

Line of symmetry
x=2

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Quadratic formula (and the DISCRIMINANT)

−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= for solving ax2 + bx + c = 0
2𝑎

The DISCRIMINANT b2 – 4ac can be used to identify the number of roots

b2 – 4ac > 0 there are 2 real distinct roots (graph crosses the x-axis twice)
b2 – 4ac = 0 there is a single repeated root (the x-axis is a tangent)
b2 – 4ac < 0 there are no real roots (the graph does not touch the x-axis)

d) SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS
Solving by elimination
3x – 2y = 19 × 3 9x – 6y = 57
2x – 3y = 21 × 2 4x – 6y = 42
5x – 0y =15 x = 3 ( 9 – 2y = 19) y = -5

Solving by substitution
x + y = 1 (y = 1 – x)
x2 + y2 = 25 x2 + (1 – x)2 = 25
2x2 – 2x – 24 = 0
2(x – 4)(x + 3) = 0 x = 4 y = -3 x=-3 y=4

If you end up with a quadratic equation when solving simultaneously the discriminant can be used to determine the
relationship between the graphs
If b2 – 4ac > 0 the graphs intersect at 2 distinct points
b2 – 4ac = 0 the graphs intersect at 1 point (or tangent)
b2 – 4ac < 0 the graphs do not intersect

e) INQUALITIES
Linear Inequality - solve using the same method as solving a linear equation but remember to reverse the
inequality if you multiply or divide by a negative number

Quadratic Inequality – always a good idea to sketch a graph

≤ ≥ plot the graph as a solid line or curve
< > plot as a dotted/dashed line or curve
If you are unsure of which area to shade pick a point in one of the regions and check the inequalities using the
coordinates of the point

f) POLYNOMIALS

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 • A polynomial is an expression which can be written in the form axn + bxn-1 + cxn-2 + … where a,b, c are
constants and n is a positive integer.
• The order of the polynomial is the highest power of x in the polynomial
• Polynomials can be divided to give a Quotient and Remainder

• Factor Theorem – If (x – a) is a factor of f(x) then f(a) = 0 and is root of the equation f(x) = 0

Show that (x – 3) is a factor of x3 – 19x + 30 = 0

f(x) = x3 – 19x + 30
f(3) = 33 -19 × 3 + 20
=0
f(3) = 0 so x – 3 is a factor of f(x)

g) GRAPHS OF FUNCTIONS
Sketching Graphs
• Identify where the graph crossed the y-axis (x = 0)
• Identify where the graph crossed the x-axis (y = 0)
• Identify any asymptotes and plot with a dashed line
𝑎 𝑎
y=mx + c y = kx2 y=kx3 y= Asymptotes at
y= Asymptotes at
𝑥 x = 0 and y = 0 𝑥2
x = 0 and y = 0

𝑘
y is proportional to x2 y is proportional to x3 y is proportional to y is proportional to
𝑎
𝑥 𝑥2

Modulus Graphs
• |x| is the ‘modulus of x’ or the absolute value |2|=2 |-2|= 2
• To sketch the graph of y = |f(x)| sketch y = f(x) and take any part of the graph which is below the x-axis and
reflect it in the x-axis

Solve |2x - 4|<|x|

2x - 4 = x 2x – 4 = -x
x =4 3x = 4
4
x=3

4
3
<x<4

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h) FUNCTIONS
• A function is a rule which generates exactly ONE OUTPUT for EVERY INPUT
• DOMAIN – defines the set of the values that can be ‘put into’ the function f(x) = √𝑥 domain x ≥ 0
• RANGE – defines the set of values ‘output’ by the function – make sure it is defined in terms of f(x) and not x
𝑓 ∶ 𝑥 ↦ 𝑥2 𝑥 ∈ ℝ means an input a is converted to a2 where the input ‘a’ can be any real number
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0
3
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+2 find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
• INVERSE FUNCTION denoted by f (x) -1

The domain of f-1(x) is the range of f(x) 3

𝑦 = 𝑥+2
-1
The range of f (x) is the domain of f(x)
3
𝑥 =𝑦−2
Using the same scale on the x and y axis the graphs of
a function and it’s inverse have reflection symmetry 3
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
in the line y = x

• COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS
The function gf(x) is a composite function which tells you ‘to do’ f first and then use the output in g

f(x) = 4x g(x) = x2 – 1
fg(x) = 4(x2 -1) gf(x) = (4x)2 - 1
= 4x2 - 4 = 16x2 - 1

i) TRANSFORMING GRAPHS

Translation
𝑎
To find the equation of a graph after a translation of [ ] replace x by (x – a) and y by (y – b)
𝑏
y = f(x -a) + b 3
The graph of y = x2 -1 is translated by [ ]
−2
Find the equation of the resulting graph.
(y + 2) = (x – 3)2 - 1
y = x2 – 6x + 6
Reflection
Reflection in the x-axis replace y with -y y = -f(x)
Reflection in the y-axis replace x with -x y = f(-x)

Stretch
Stretch in the y-direction by scale factor a y = af(x)
1
Stretch on the x-direction by scale factor 𝑎 y = f(ax)

Combining Transformations
Take care with the order in which the transformations are carried out.
𝟑 The graph of y = x2 is reflected in the y axis and
The graph of y = x2 is translated by [ ] and then
𝟎 𝟑
reflected in the y axis. Find the equation of the then translated by [ ]. Find the equation of the
𝟎
resulting graph resulting graph
Translation y = (x – 3)2 Reflection y = (-x)2
= x2 -6x + 9 = x2

Reflection y = (-x)2 -6(-x) + 9 Translation y = (x – 3)2

= x2 + 6x + 9 = x2 - 6x + 9

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j) PARTIAL FRACTIONS
Any proper algebraic fractions with a denominator that is a product of linear factors can be written as partial fractions
• Useful for integrating a rational function
• Useful for finding binomial approximations

𝑝𝑥+𝑞 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶 𝑝𝑥+𝑞 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)(𝑐𝑥+𝑑)(𝑒𝑥+𝑓)
= 𝑎𝑥+𝑏
+ 𝑐𝑥+𝑑 + 𝑒𝑥+𝑓 (𝑎𝑥+𝑏)(𝑐𝑥+𝑑)2
= 𝑎𝑥+𝑏
+ 𝑐𝑥+𝑑 + (𝑐𝑥+𝑑)2

5 𝐴 𝐵
Express (𝑥−2)(𝑥+3) in the form 𝑥−2 + 𝑥+3
𝐴 𝐵 𝐴(𝑥+3)+𝐵(𝑥−2)
𝑥−2
+ 𝑥+3 ≡ (𝑥+3)(𝑥−2)

A(x + 3) + B(x - 2) = 5 x = 2 5A = 5 x = -3 -5B = 5

A=1 B = -1
5 1 1
= −
(𝑥−2)(𝑥+3) 𝑥−2 𝑥+3

2 COORDINATE GEOMETRY
a) Graphs of linear functions
y = mx + c
the line intercepts the y axis at (0, c)
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦
Gradient = 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥

Positive gradient Negative gradient

Finding the equation of a line with gradient m through point (x1, y1)
Use the equation (y – y1) = m(x – x1)
If necessary rearrange to the required form (ax + by = c or y = mx + c)

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

y = m1x + c1 y = m2x + c2
If m1 = m2 then the lines are PARALLEL
If m1 × m2 = -1 then the lines are PERPENDICULAR

Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line y – 2x = 7 passing

through point (4, -6)

Gradient of y – 2x = 7 is 2 (y = 2x + 7)
Gradient of the perpendicular line = - ½ (2 × -½ = -1)

Equation of the line with gradient –½ passing through (4, -6)

(y + 6) = -½(x – 4)
2y + 12 = 4 – x
x + 2y = - 8

Finding the mid-point of the line segment joining (a,b) and (c,d)
𝑎+𝑐 𝑏+𝑑
Mid-point = ( , )
2 2

Calculating the length of a line segment joining (a,b) and (c,d)

Length = √(𝑐 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑑 − 𝑏)2

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b) Circles
A circle with centre (0,0) and radius r has the equations x2 + y2 = r2
A circle with centre (a,b) and radius r is given by (x - a)2 + (y - b)2 = r2

Finding the centre and the radius (completing the square for x and y)
Find the centre and radius of the circle x2 + y2 + 2x – 4y – 4 = 0
x2 + 2x + y2 – 4y – 4 = 0
(x + 1)2 – 1 + (y – 2)2 – 4 – 4 = 0
(x + 1)2 + (y – 2)2 = 32
Centre ( -1, 2) Radius = 3

The following circle properties might be useful

Angle in a semi-circle The perpendicular from the centre The tangent to a circle is
is a right angle to a chord bisects the chord perpendicular to the radius

Finding the equation of a tangent to a circle at point (a,b)

The gradient of the tangent at (a,b) is perpendicular to the gradient of the radius which meets the
circumference at (a, b)
Find equation of the tangent to the circle x2 + y2 - 2x - 2y – 23 = 0 at the point (5,4)
(x - 1)2 + (y – 1)2 – 25 = 0
Centre of the circle (1,1)

4−1 3 4
Gradient of radius = 5−1 = 4
Gradient of tangent = - 3

4
Equation of the tangent (y – 4) = - 3(x – 5) 3y – 12 = 20 - 4x
4x + 3y = 32

Lines and circles Solving simultaneously to investigate the relationship between a line and a circle will result in
a quadratic equation. Use the discriminant to determine the relationship between the line and the circle

b2 – 4ac > 0 b2 – 4ac = 0 (tangent) b2 – 4ac < 0

c) Parametric Equations
• Two equations that separately define the x and y coordinates of a graph in terms of a third variable
• The third variable is called the parameter
• To convert a pair of parametric equations to a cartesian equation you need to eliminate the parameter
(you may need to use trig identities if the parametric equations involve trig functions)

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 Find the cartesian equation of the curve given by the parametric equations given by 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑦 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑦 2 = 4𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
= 4(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
𝑦 2 = 4(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑥 2

3. SEQUENCES AND SERIES

a) Binomial

Expansion of (𝟏 + 𝒙)𝒏 |𝒙| < 𝟏 𝒏 ∈ ℚ

𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) 3
(1 + 𝑥)𝑛 = 1 + 𝑛𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 … … … … + 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑥 𝑛
1×2 1×2×3
1
Use the binomial expansion to write down the first four terms of (2−3𝑥)2
3 −2 3 −2×−3 3 2 −2×−3×−4 3
2−2 (1 − 𝑥) = 2−2 (1 + −2 × (− 𝑥) + (− 𝑥) + (− 𝑥)3
2 2 1×2 2 1×2×3 2
1 27 27
= (1 + 3𝑥 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥3)
4 4 2
1 3 27 2 27 3
= 4+ 4𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥
16 8

Expansion of (𝒂 + 𝒃)𝒏 𝒏 ∈ ℤ+
𝑛(𝑛−1) 𝑛−2 2 𝑛(𝑛−1)(𝑛−2) 𝑛−3 3
(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 + 𝑛𝑎𝑛−1 𝑏 + 𝑎 𝑏 + 𝑎 𝑏 … … … … + 𝑛𝑎𝑏 𝑛−1 + 𝑏 𝑛
1×2 1×2×3

Find the coefficient of the x3 term in the expansion of (2 + 3x)9

(3x)3 must have 26 as part of the coefficient (3 + 6 = 9)

9×8×7
× 26 × (3𝑥)3 = 145152 (x3)
1×2×3

b) Sequences
• An inductive definition defines a sequence by giving the first term and a rule to find the next term(s)
𝑢𝑛+1 = 𝑓(𝑢𝑛 ) 𝑢1 = 𝑎
Find the first 3 terms of a sequence defined by 𝑢𝑛+1 = 2𝑢𝑛 + 1 𝑢1 = 2
𝑢1 = 2 𝑢2 = 2 × 2 + 1 𝑢3 = 2 × 5 + 1
= 5 = 11

• An increasing sequence is one where 𝑢𝑛+1 > 𝑢𝑛 for all n

• An decreasing sequence is one where 𝑢𝑛+1 < 𝑢𝑛 for all n
• A sequence may converge to a limit L 𝑢𝑛+1 = 𝑓(𝑢𝑛 ) as 𝑛 → ∞ 𝑢𝑛+1 = 𝑢𝑛 = 𝐿
The sequence defined by 𝑢𝑛+1 = 0.2𝑢𝑛 + 2 𝑢1 = 3 converges to a limit L . Find L
L = 0.2L + 2 0.8L = 2 L = 2.5

• A periodic sequence repeats itself over a fixed interval

𝑢𝑛+𝑎 = 𝑢𝑛 for all n for a constant a which is the period of the sequence

c) Sigma Notation – sum of

6
∑(𝑟 2 + 1) = (12+1) + (22+1) + (32+1) + (42+1) + (52+1) + (62+1) Staring with the 1st term r = 1
r=1 = 2 + 5 + 10 + 17 + 26 + 37 Ending with the 6th term r = 6
= 97

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d) Arithmetic sequences and series
• Each term is found by adding a fixed constant (common difference d) to the previous term
• The first term is a giving the sequence a , a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d…… where 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
• The sum of the first n terms can be found using:
𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) or 𝑆𝑛 = 2 (𝑎 + 𝑙) where l is the last term

e) Geometric sequence and series

• Each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed constant (common ratio r)
• The first term is a giving the sequence a, ar, ar2, ar3, ar4…
• The sum of the first n terms can be found using
𝑎(1−𝑟 𝑛 ) 𝑎(𝑟 𝑛 −1) 𝑎
𝑆𝑛 = 1−𝑟
or 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑟 −1
𝑆∞ = 1 −𝑟 |r| < 1

4. TRIGONOMETRY
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW AND CAN USE THE FOLLOWING FROM GCSE

1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2
𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐶

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐴
= 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐵 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐶 or 𝑎
= 𝑏
= 𝑐

𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐴
y = sin x
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
0 𝜋 y = tan x
6 4 3 2
1 √2 √3
Sin 0 1 0 y = cos x
2 2 2 𝜋 𝜋
√3 √2 1 −
2
−
2
Cos 1 0 1
2 2 2
√3
Tan 0 1 √3 --- 0
3
a) Radians 2𝜋 radians = 360° 𝜋 radians = 180°
• You MUST work in radians if you are integrating or differentiating trig functions
• For an angle at the centre of a sector of θ radians
Arc Length = rθ
Area of the sector = ½r2θ

b) Small angle approximations (θ in radians)

𝜃2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ≈ 1 − 2
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝜃

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 2−𝜃2
When 𝜃 is small show that can be written as
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 2𝜃
𝜃2
(1 − 2
)÷𝜃
2−𝜃2
= 2
÷𝜃
2−𝜃2
= 2𝜃

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c) Inverse Functions (sin-1x, cos-1x, tan-1 x)
By definition a function must be one-to-one which leads to restricted domains for the inverse trig functions

y = sin-1x (arcsin x) y = cos-1x (arccos x) y = tan-1x (arctan x)

Domain : -1 ≤ x ≤ 1 Domain : -1 ≤ x ≤ 1 Domain x∈ ℝ
𝜋 π 𝜋
2 2

-1 1 𝜋
-2

𝜋 -1 0 1
-2

d) Reciprocal Trig Functions and identities (derived from 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 = 1)

1 1 1 cos 𝑥
sec 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥 = tan 𝑥 ( sin 𝑥 )

1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥

Solve for 0° < θ < 360° the equation 𝑠𝑒𝑐 4 𝜃 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛4 𝜃 = 2

𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥 = 1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥
𝑠𝑒𝑐 4 𝑥 = 1 + 2𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛4 𝑥 1 + 2𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛4 𝑥 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛4 𝑥 = 2
1
2𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥 = 1 tan 𝑥 = ±√ x = 35.3°, 145°, 215°,325° 3 s.f.
2

e) Double angle and addition formulae

The addition formulae are given the formula booklet sin(𝐴 ± 𝐵) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 ± 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
Make sure you can use these to derive : cos(𝐴 ± 𝐵) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 ∓ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
DOUBLE ANGLE FORMULAE
sin 2A = 2 sinAcosA 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴 ± 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
tan(𝐴 ± 𝐵) =
cos 2A = cos2A – sin2A 1 ∓ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
= 2cos2A – 1
= 1 - 2sin2A
2 tan 𝐴
Tan 2A =
1−𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝐴

• Useful to solve equations

• cos 2A often used to integrate trig functions involving sin2x or cos2x

EXPRESSING IN THE FORM 𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽 ± 𝜶) and 𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽 ± 𝜶)

• Useful in solving equations asin θ + bcos θ = 0
• Useful in finding minimum/maximum values of 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ± 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 and 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ± 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
Find the maximum value of the expression 2sinx + 3cosx and the value of x where this occurs (x < 180°)
2sinx + 3cosx = Rsin(x + α) (Rsin x cos α + Rcos x sin α) rcos α = 2 rsin α = 3
2 2 3
R = √2 + 3 tanα = 2
= √13 α = 56.3° 2sinx + 3cosx = √13 sin(𝑥 + 56.3°)
Max value = √13 occurs when sin(𝑥 + 56.3°) = 1
x = 33.7°

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5 LOGARITHMS AND EXPONENTIALS y = a-x y = ax
• A function of the form y = ax is an exponential function
• The graph of y = ax is positive for all values of x
and passes through (0,1)
• A logarithm is the inverse of an exponential function
y = ax x = loga y

Logarithms – rules to learn

loga a = 1 loga 1 = 0 loga ax = x 𝑎log𝑎 𝑥 = x

𝑚
loga m + loga n = loga mn loga m - loga n = loga ( 𝑛 ) kloga m = loga mk

Write the following in the form alog 2 where a is an integer 3log 2 + 2log 4 – ½log16
8×16
Method 1 : log 8 + log 16 – log 4 = log ( )= log 32 = 5log 2
4

Method 2 : 3log 2 + 4log 2 – 2log 2 = 5log 2

An equation of the form ax = b can be solved by taking logs of both sides

a) MODELLING CURVES
Exponential relationships can be changed to a linear form y = mx + c allowing the constants m and c
to be ‘estimated’ from a graph of plotted data
Plot log y against log x. n is the
y = Axn log y = log (Axn) log y = n log x + log A gradient of the line and log A is
y = mx + c the y axis intercept

y = Abx log y = log (Abx) log y = x log b + log A Plot log y against x. log b is the
y = mx + c gradient of the line and log A is
the y axis intercept

V and x are connected by the equation V = axb

The equation is reduced to linear form by taking logs

Gradient = 2
log V = b log x + log a
Intercept = 3
(y = mx + c) (log V plotted against log x)

From the graph b = 2

log a = 3 a = 103

V = 1000x2

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 b) The exponential function y = ex
Exponential Growth y = ex Exponential Decay y = e-x

Solve 2ex-2 = 6 leaving your

answer in exact form
𝑒 𝑥−2 = 3
ln(𝑒 𝑥−2 ) = ln 3
The inverse of y = ex is the natural logarithm denoted by ln x 𝑥 − 2 = ln 3
𝑥 = ln 3 + 2

The rate of growth/decay to find the ‘rate of change’ you need to differentiate to find the gradient
LEARN THIS
𝑑𝑦 The number of bacteria P in a culture is modelled by
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑘𝑥 = 𝐴𝑘𝑒 𝑘𝑥
𝑑𝑥 P = 600 + 5e0.2t where t is the time in hours from the start of the
experiment. Calculate the rate of growth after 5 hours
𝑑𝑃
P = 600 + 15e0.2t 𝑑𝑡
= 3𝑒 0.2𝑡
𝑑𝑃
t=5 = 3𝑒 0.2×5
𝑑𝑡

= 8.2 bacteria per hour

6 DIFFERENTIATION
𝑑𝑦
• The gradient is denoted by 𝑑𝑥 if y is given as a function of x
• The gradient is denoted by f’(x) is the function is given as f(x)

LEARN THESE

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑦 = 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑛𝑎𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑦= 𝑎 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑦
𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑛𝑥 =𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑘𝑥 = (𝑘𝑙𝑛𝑎)𝑎𝑘𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑦 = sin 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑘𝑥 𝑦 = cos 𝑘𝑥 = −𝑘𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥 𝑦 = tan 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑘𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

a) Methods of differentiation
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
CHAIN RULE for differentiating y = fg(x) y = f(u) where u = g(x) = × 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢

𝑑𝑦
PRODUCT RULE for differentiating y = f(x)g(x) = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔′(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒚 𝒇′ (𝒙)𝒈(𝒙)−𝒇(𝒙)𝒈′(𝒙)
QUOTIENT RULE for differentiating y = 𝒈(𝒙) = [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐
𝒅𝒙

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS y = f(t) x = g(t) = ÷ 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑡

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IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION- take care as you may need to use the product rule too (xy2, xy, ysinx)
𝑑[𝑓(𝑦)] 𝑑[𝑓(𝑦)] 𝑑𝑦
= × 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦

b) Stationary (Turning) Points

𝑑𝑦
• The points where = 0 are stationary points (turning points/points of inflection) of a graph
𝑑𝑥
• The nature of the turning points can be found by:

Maximum point Minimum Point

𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 >0
<0 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
=0
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
=0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
>0 <0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑2 𝑦
Minimum if >0
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2 𝑦
Maximum if <0
𝑑𝑥 2

Find and determine the nature of the stationary points of the curve y = 2x3 - 3x2 + 18
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 6𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 0 at a stationary point

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
6x(x - 1) = 0 Turning points at (0, 18) and (1,17) = 12x – 6 x = 0 < 0 (0,18) is a maximum
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑦
x=1 > 0 (1,17) is a minimum
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑦
Points of inflection occur when = 0 (𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 0)
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2 𝑦
………but 𝑑𝑥 2 = 0 could also indicate a min or max point
𝑑2 𝑦
Convex curve : > 0 for all values of x in the ‘convex section of the curve’
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑦
Concave curve : < 0 for all values of x in the ‘concave section of the curve’
𝑑𝑥 2

c) Using Differentiation

Tangents and Normals

The gradient of a curve at a given point = gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point
The gradient of the normal is perpendicular to the gradient of the tangent that point

Find the equation of the normal to the curve y = 8x – x2 at the point (2,12)
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 8 − 2𝑥 Gradient of tangent at (2,12) = 8 – 4 = 4

Gradient of the normal = - ¼ (y - 12) = -¼ (x – 2)

4y + x = 50
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d) Differentiation from first principles
As h approaches zero the gradient of the chord gets
closer to being the gradient of the tangent at the point
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim ( )
(x+h,f(x+h)) ℎ→0 ℎ

Find from first principles the derivative of x3 – 2x + 3

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
(x,f(x)) 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim ( ℎ
)
ℎ→0
(𝑥+ℎ)3 −2(𝑥+ℎ)+3 –(𝑥 3 −2𝑥+3)
h = lim ( )
ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑥 3 +3𝑥 2 ℎ+3𝑥ℎ 2 +ℎ3 −2𝑥−2ℎ +3 −𝑥 3 + 2𝑥−3)
= lim ( ℎ
)
ℎ→0
3𝑥 2 ℎ+3𝑥ℎ 2 +ℎ3 −2ℎ
= lim ( )
ℎ→0 ℎ
= lim (3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 − 2)
ℎ→0
2
= 3𝑥 − 2

7 INTEGRATION
Integration is the reverse of differentiation
LEARN THESE
𝑥 𝑛+1
∫ 𝑥 𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑛+1
+𝑐 (c is the constant of integration)

1 1
∫ 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑘
𝑒 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑐 ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑙𝑛𝑥 + 𝑐

1 1
∫ sin 𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = − 𝑘 cos 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑐 ∫ cos 𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑘
sin 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑐

a) Methods of Integration
INTEGRATION BY SUBSTITUTION
Transforming a complex integral into a simpler integral using ‘u = ‘ and integrating with respect to u
∫ 𝑥√1 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢 If it is a definite integral it is often easier to
Let u = 1 - x2 𝑑𝑥 = -2x so dx = −2𝑥
calculate the limits in terms of u and
𝑑𝑢
∫ 𝑥 √1 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥√𝑢 substitute these in after integrating
−2𝑥
1
1
= - 2 ∫ 𝑢2 𝑑𝑢 Look for integrals of the form
1 3
= − 3 𝑢2 +c 1
3 ∫ 𝑒 𝑎𝑥+𝑏 𝑑𝑥 ∫ cos(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑎𝑥+𝑏 𝑑𝑥
1 2 )2
= − 3 (1 − 𝑥 +𝑐

Look out for integrals of the form

1
∫ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)[𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = 𝑛+1 [𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛+1 + 𝑐

𝑓′(𝑥)
∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = ln|𝑓(𝑥)| + 𝑐

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 INTEGRATION BY PARTS 𝑑𝑣
𝒅𝒗 𝒅𝒖 ∫ 𝑙𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑢 = ln 𝑥
𝑑𝑥
=1
∫ 𝒖 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒖𝒗 − ∫ 𝒗 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑢 1
Take care in defining u and 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥
𝑣=𝑥
𝑑𝑣
∫ 𝑥𝑒 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑢=𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑒 2𝑥 ∫ 𝑙𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 − ∫ 𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1

𝑑𝑣
∫ 𝑥𝑙𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑛𝑥 =𝑥
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 − 𝑥 + c

PARAMETRIC INTEGRATION
𝑑𝑥
To find the area under a curve defined parametrically use area = ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Remember that the limits of the integral must be in terms of t

4
A curve is defined parametrically by 𝑥 = 𝑡 − 1 𝑦 = 𝑡 Calculate the area of the region
included by the line x= 2, the x-axis and the y-axis.
x=2 t=3 x=0 t=1
𝑑𝑥 34
𝑑𝑡
=1 ∫1 𝑑𝑡 = [4𝑙𝑛𝑡] 13
𝑡
= 4𝑙𝑛3 − 4𝑙𝑛1
= 4ln 3

b) AREA UNDER A CURVE

The area under a graph can be approximated using rectangle of height y and width dx. The limit as the
number of rectangles increases is equal to the definite integral
𝑛 𝑏

lim ∑ 𝑦𝑖 𝛿𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑛→∞
𝑖=1 𝑎

Calculate the area under the graph y = 4x – x3 between x = 0 and x = 2

2
∫0 4𝑥 − 𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥
2

2
𝑥4
= [2𝑥 − ]
0
4

= (8 − 4) − (0 − 0)
= 4

For an area below the x-axis the integral will

result in a negative value

c) AREA BETWEEN 2 CURVES

If no limits are given you need to identify the x coordinates of the points where the curve intersect
Determine which function is ‘above’ the other
𝑥
2
∫𝑥 [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥 g(x)
1

f(x)
𝑥1 𝑥2

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d) SOLUTION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Separating the variables
If you are given the coordinates of a point on the curve a particular solution
can be found if not a general solution is needed
Find the general solution for the differential
equation
𝑑𝑦
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑥
𝑑𝑦
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑦 2 + 3)
𝑦
∫ 𝑦2 +3 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1 1
2
ln|𝑦 2 + 3| = 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑐

8 NUMERICAL METHODS
a) CHANGE OF SIGN – locating a root
For an equations f(x) = 0 , if f(x1) and f(x2) have opposite signs and f(x) is a continuous function between x1 and
x2 then a root of the equation lies in the interval x1< x < x2

b) STAIRCASE and COWBEB DIAGRAMS

If an iterative formula (recurrence relation) of the form xn+1=f(xn) converges to a limit, the value of
the limit is the x-coordinate of the point of intersection of the graphs y = f(x) and y = x
The limit is the solution of the equation f(x) = x

A staircase or cobweb diagram based on the graphs y = f(x) and y = x shows the convergence

Use you ANS

button on your
calculator

𝑓(𝑥 )
c) NEWTON-RAPHSON iteration 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑥𝑛 − 𝑓′(𝑥𝑛 )
𝑛

The equation e-2x – 0.5x = 0 has a root close to 0.5. Using 0.5 Limitations of the Newton-Raphson method
as the first approximation use the Newton-Raphson you find
the next approximation As the method uses the tangent to the curve, if the
x1 = 0.5 f(0.5) = e-1 – 0.25 starting value is a stationary point or close to a
f’(x) = -2e-2x – 0.5 f’(0.5) = -2e-1 – 0.5 stationary point (min, max or inflection) the
𝑒 −1 – 0.25 method does not work
x2 = 0.5 − x2 = 0.595
−2𝑒 −1 −0.5

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d) APPROXIMATING THE AREA UNDER A CURVE
TRAPEZIUM RULE – given in the formula book but make sure you know how to use it!

The trapezium rule gives an approximation of the area under a graph

𝑏 1 𝑏−𝑎
∫𝑎 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 ≈ 2 ℎ[(𝑦0+ 𝑦𝑛 ) + 2(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 +. . . 𝑦𝑛−1 )] where ℎ = 𝑛

An easy way to calculate the y values is to use the TABLE function on a calculator – make sure you list the
values in the formula (or a table) to show your method
• The rule will underestimate the area when the curve is concave
• The rule will overestimate the area when the curve is convex

UPPER and LOWER bounds - Area estimated using the area of rectangles
For the function shown below if the left hand ‘heights’ are used the total area is a Lower Bound – the
rectangles calculated using the right hand heights the area results in the Upper Bound

Upper Bound
Lower Bound

9 VECTORS
A vector has two properties magnitude (size) and direction

a) NOTATION
Vectors can be written as
3
a=( )
4
j
a = 3i + 4j where i and j perpendicular unit vectors (magnitude 1) i

Magnitude-direction form (5, 53.1⁰) also known as polar form

The direction is the angle the vector makes with the positive x axis
Express the vector p = 3i – 6j in polar form

|p| = √32 + (−6)2

= 3√5

p = ( 3√5, 63.4⁰)

The Magnitude of vector a is denoted by |a| and can be found using Pythagoras |a| = √32 + 42
A Unit Vector is a vector which has magnitude 1

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 A position vector is a vector that starts at the origin (it has a fixed position)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2
𝑂𝐴 = ( ) 2𝑖 + 4𝑗
4

b) ARITHMETIC WITH VECTORS

Multiplying by a scalar (number)

3
a = ( ) 3i + 2j
2
3 6
2a = 2 ( ) = ( ) 6i + 4j
2 4
a and 2a are parallel vectors
Multiplying by -1 reverses the direction of the vector

Addition of vectors
Subtraction of vectors
2 3
a =( ) b =( )
3 1 2 3
a =( ) b =( )
3 1
2 3 5
a + b = ( ) + ( ) =( )
3 1 4
resultant
2 3 −1
a - b = ( ) - ( ) =( )
3 1 2
This is really a + -b
A and B have the coordinates (1,5) and (-2,4).

a) Write down the position vectors of A and B

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 1 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ −2
𝑂𝐴 = ( ) 𝑂𝐵 = ( )
5 4

b) Write down the vector of the line segment joining A to B

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝑶𝑩
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = −𝑶𝑨
𝑨𝑩 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − 𝑶𝑨
𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝑩 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ −2 1 −3
𝐴𝐵 = ( ) − ( ) = ( )
4 5 −1

Collinear - vectors in 2D and 3D can be used to show that 3 or more points are collinear
(lie on a straight line)

Show that A(3,1,2) B(7,4,5) and C(19,13,14)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 4𝑖 + 3𝑗 + 3𝑘 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 12𝑖 + 9𝑗 + 9𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 = 3𝐴𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 are parallel vectors sharing a common point B
and are therefore collinear

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10 PROOF
Notation If x = 3 then x2 = 9
⇒ x = 3 ⇒ x2 = 9
x = 3 is a condition for x2 = 9

⟸ x = 3 ⟸ x2 = 9 is not true as x could = - 3

⟺ x+1=3⟺x=2

a) Proof by deduction – statement proved using known mathematical principles

Useful expressions : 2n (an even number) 2n + 1 (an odd number)
Prove that the difference between the squares of any consecutive
even numbers is a multiple of 4
Consecutive even numbers 2n, 2n + 2
(2n + 2)2 – (2n)2
4n2 + 8n + 4 – 4n2
=8n + 4
=4(2n +1) a multiple of 4

b) Proof by exhaustion – showing that a statement is true for every possible case or value

Prove that (𝑛 + 2)3 ≥ 3𝑛−1 for 𝑛𝜖Ν, n<4

We need to show it is true for 1,2 and 3
n = 1 27 ≥ 1
n = 2 64 ≥ 3
n = 3 125 ≥ 9
True for all possible values hence proof that the
statement is true by exhaustion

c) Disproof by counter example – finding an example that shows the statement is false.

Find a counter example for the statement

‘2n + 4 is a multiple of 4’
n = 2 4 + 4 = 8 a multiple of 4
n = 3 6 + 4 = 10 NOT a multiple of 4

d) Proof by contradiction - assume first that the statement is not true and then show that this is not possible

Prove that for all integers n, if n3 + 5 is odd then n is even

Assume that n3 + 5 is odd and n is odd

Let n3 + 5 = 2k + 1 and let n = 2m + 1 (k and m integers)
2k + 1 = (2m + 1)3 + 5
2k + 1 = 8m3 + 12m2 + 6m + 6
2k = 8m3 + 12m2 + 6m + 5
2k = 2(4m3 + 6m2 + 3m) + 5
5
k = (4m3 + 6m2 + 3m) + 2
4m3 + 6m2 + 3m has an integer value leaving k as a non-integer value
(contradicting assumptions)
Our initial assumption that when that n3 + 5 is odd then n is odd is false so n must be even

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